Red in Black

American Entertainment Revival (ft. Manza) | Red in Black Podcast E-003

American Entertainment Revival | Red in Black Podcast E-003:In this episode of Red in Black, I sit down with the incredibly talented Manza, an artist, entertainer, painter, and designer hailing from Rosedale, New York. We dive deep into his journey, exploring his creative process, his past struggles, and his triumphant rise as an artist.Manza opens up about the importance of building community, how self-belief—and the belief from those close to him—has shaped his path, and how he navigates the highs and lows of life. He also shares the personal tactics he uses to fuel his art and creativity. Stay tuned for a special performance from Manza, as he gives us a glimpse into his world through his art.Join us for an inspiring conversation about overcoming obstacles, staying true to your vision, and the power of community and connection.Revival Activity in Entertainment#communityimpact #rappers #music #writing #art #artistry #nyc #entertainment #entertaining #community #communityimpact #fyp #foryou #podcasts #podcast #dte #downtoearth #redinblackTIMESTAMPS00:00:00 Introduction: Meet Manza, a multidisciplinary creative and performer.00:01:07 The 2019 Shift: Reflections on personal loss and remembering your inner artist.00:02:48 The Many Selves: Defining the roles of Manza, Domino Holiday, Manny, and Min.00:04:42 Transmitting Experience: Shoving emotions through the funnel of different mediums.00:06:08 Painting in Silence: The dialogue between the self and the canvas.00:07:04 The Formula: Subconscious beginnings and playing with color theory.00:08:31 Gut Instincts: Why the "knowing" is better than the expectation.00:10:36 The Entertainer: Moving beyond "content creation" to performance and acting.00:14:13 Dance as Language: Why movement preceded words as our primary communication.00:15:04 Freestyle Roots: Pressure, truth, and the evolution of a dancer's journey.00:16:40 Finding Your BPM: How individual rhythm dictates style and swag.00:18:25 Dancing with the Brush: How musical tempo influences visual marks.00:20:15 Radio Station Mindset: Exploring moods through diverse musical genres.00:22:12 The Car Studio: Getting it done with an Audi A4 and a small kit.00:24:15 Authentic Manifestation: Writing the truest thing you know.00:27:02 Redemption & Relatability: Why the world needs the "Feel Good" song.00:28:40 Rosedale Roots: Painting the community and the murals of Queens.00:30:15 The Deli Network: Using local influence to spark interest in the youth.00:32:04 Respecting the Craft: Acknowledging excellence across every spectrum.00:35:10 Breaking the Stigma: Family support and the reality of the post office.00:37:08 The Easter Egg: A connection to the "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" cover.00:38:48 The Mixtape Era: Why the spirit of 2010s hip-hop is returning.00:40:40 Approving Yourself: Moving past the need for external validation.00:41:30 The Trained Eye: Learning values and form at the Art Students League.00:43:50 The Business of Art: Which medium can you afford to lose?00:45:10 Lockdown Residency: Forcing creativity through month-long deadlines.00:47:16 Wearable Art: The process behind the Manza polos and logo design.00:49:50 Tooling Up: Modifying brushes and hardening bristles for a unique stroke.00:51:40 Defining Community: Fostering shared energy and genuine connection.00:54:15 The Value of Time: Realizing what you have before it's gone.00:56:07 Song Showcase: "Long Days" and the story of the US Postal Service.01:00:10 Don't Sell Yourself Short: Chasing the dream despite the surrounding doubt.

A Visionary’s Journey from Chicago to the World | REDinBLACK | Episode-005

A Visionary’s Journey from Chicago to the World.The multifaceted Dion Lewis! 🎙️ From Chicago to Harlem, LA to Ghana, Dion shares his incredible journey of creativity, community building, and self-discovery. 🌍 His brand, "InPuristForm," explores themes of authenticity, individualism, and legacy. Hear the story behind his popular "Pit Walks" photography series in NYC and learn how his global experiences have shaped his unique perspective.Dion opens up about the importance of community, family, individualism and finding harmony in a fast-paced world. Dion Lewis is more than just a storyteller—he’s a movement. His artistic vision bridges cultures, blending the raw energy of city life with the deep-rooted traditions of his travels. Whether capturing the soul of New York’s streets through his "Pit Walks" photography or championing the ethos of "InPuristForm," Dion’s work challenges us to embrace our most authentic selves. Through his lens and words, he invites us to reflect on identity, purpose, and the power of human connection in an ever-evolving world. Dion's IG: https://www.instagram.com/lewthemessiah/?hl=en#communityawareness #community #Fashion #Photography #NYC #InPurestForm #Legacy #Authenticity #Individualism #Travel #Interview #creativesupport TIMESTAMPS• [00:00] Introduction and background of guest Dion Lewis.• [01:40] The origins and purpose of "pit walks" (photography walks) in New York.• [03:14] The importance of cultivating community and the differences between New York and LA.• [05:15] How traveling to Ghana shifted his perspective on happiness and humanity.• [07:01] Reflections on moving between different neighborhoods and cities to shape character.• [08:21] Defining an ideal living space through "harmony" and "authentic love."• [10:41] Thoughts on building a family and passing down a sustainable legacy.• [11:53] The importance of passing down knowledge and teaching others "how to fish."• [13:37] The core values and themes of his brand, In Purest Form.• [15:39] Capturing impulse and raw authenticity in photography.• [16:58] Family influences and the role models who shaped his foundation.• [19:28] A "horror story" from a pop-up event and the importance of thinking on your feet.• [22:32] The necessity of positive examples within the community to drive success.• [26:14] The vital role of art and creation in maintaining sanity and establishing a legacy.• [28:12] Perspectives on fashion versus individual style and authentic expression.• [29:48] The value of isolation in the process of self-discovery.• [32:40] Navigating a brand in an oversaturated market by sticking to a personal mission.• [34:12] Exploring new environments and bringing positive traits back home.• [35:46] Finding inspiration from friends and building a supportive ecosystem.• [37:45] Learning the practice of presence and being still in a fast-paced world.• [38:38] Rapid-fire word association: Power, Creation, Struggle, and Success.

He Built a Business From Scratch During Covid | Dre Steinberg Teaches How to Conquer

From JP Morgan presentation specialist to Harlem-based creative tech entrepreneur — Dre Steinberg, founder of Designed to Conquer LLC, is one of the most practical and generous business minds in the city.In this episode of Red in Black, Dre breaks down what it actually takes to build a business from zero: branding vs. logos, why your website isn't converting, how to stop wearing all the hats, and what it means to run your operation like a COO instead of a freelancer.We get into the real ones: grants (Dre won $18K in one hour of writing), how to use Notion and HoneyBook to automate your entire client pipeline, and why lazy entrepreneurs always get scammed. Plus — his vision for Designed to Conquer becoming a full creative tech agency that creates jobs in Harlem.This is one of those episodes where you need a notepad. No gatekeeping.🔗 Connect with Dre:Designed to Conquer: https://www.designedtoconquer.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/designedtoconquerllc/No Gatekeeping Podcast: [link]Grant Hub on Notion: designedtoconquer.com/granthub🎙️ Red in Black is a podcast by Down to Earth — featuring entrepreneurs, creatives, and community builders doing real work in New York City.Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@UCjiFJ5festi2gd6zd27i5Qw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Se2vCkDA0SP5l3HiGLQ8DInstagram: @redinblkDre Steinberg, Designed to Conquer, Red in Black podcast, Down to Earth NYC, Harlem entrepreneurs, Black business owners, small business tips, how to get grants for small business, HoneyBook tutorial, Notion for entrepreneurs, creative tech agency, branding for small business, web design for beginners, how to start a business NYC, solopreneur systems, business automation, grant writing tips, MWBE certification, minority business enterprise, Honey Book grants, entrepreneurship Harlem, Red Young podcast, business systems, AI for entrepreneurs, no gatekeeping podcast#RedInBlack #DesignedToConquer #HarlemEntrepreneur #BlackBusiness #SmallBusinessTips #GrantMoney #BrandingTips #BusinessSystems #DownToEarth #NoGatekeeping #HoneyBook #NotionForBusiness #CreativeTech #SolopreneurLife #NYCEntrepreneurTIMESTAMPS00:00:00 - Introduction to Dre Steinberg and Design to Conquer00:01:28 - The power of affirmations and pivoting after job loss during COVID-1900:02:04 - Defining a "Creative Tech" company: Blending branding with systems and automation00:04:43 - The transformation of clients from confusion to confidence00:06:22 - Why branding is more than just a logo00:08:52 - The three fundamentals of a website: Hosting, domain, and design00:10:18 - Why "lazy" entrepreneurs get scammed and the importance of research00:12:12 - Utilizing the public library as a free business resource and consultant00:18:13 - Using Bloomberg Terminals for market research and data00:19:54 - Identifying your target audience through detailed persona building00:21:42 - The levels of attraction: From "wanting" to "commitment"00:24:51 - The relationship between time and money in business investments00:27:53 - Funding a business through grants and building relationships with granters00:28:57 - Understanding business certifications like MWBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise)00:33:22 - Case Study: Winning the HoneyBook Breakthrough Grant00:36:23 - Strategies for applying to grants and standing out00:44:00 - Early business mistakes: Handshake agreements vs. formal contracts00:48:22 - Managing client relationships and communication during hardships00:50:51 - Protecting intellectual property in service agreements00:57:51 - The future of SEO and shifts in social media algorithms00:58:58 - The emergence of "Prompters" and AI agents in the workforce01:02:49 - Essential business tools: HoneyBook, Notion, and ChatGPT/Claude01:07:11 - Setting up automated email marketing funnels01:16:31 - The "No Gatekeeping" podcast and the importance of sharing information

She Beat Her NYC Landlord At His Own Game | Red in Black (Episode-007)

On this week’s episode of Red in Black, I sat down with Claudia Waterton, a tenant-turned-homeowner who helped lead one of the most powerful housing victories in recent New York City history.Claudia and her neighbors at 700 East 134th Street in Port Morris, South Bronx, turned the game on its head. They purchased the building from their landlord and secured it for future generations.It was a community revolution.Bronx tenants buy building, Claudia Waterton interview, tenant ownership NYC, Red in Black podcast, housing justice BronxOn Red in Black, Red Young interviews Bronx tenant-owner Claudia Waterton about how she and her neighbors bought their building and rewrote the rules of power in NYC housing.#BronxHousing #TenantPower #RedInBlackPodcast #AffordableHousing #HDFC #NYCHousingJustice #ClaudiaWaterton #RedYoung

She Found Land Titles, Katana Swords & Black Panther Karate Tapes in Her Family's Harlem Brownstone

Brianna Brown is building community out of a five-story Harlem brownstone her family has owned since 1941.In this episode of Red in Black, Bri takes us through the full story: inheriting the responsibility of a building that's been in her family for generations, discovering her late uncle's self-defense institute in the basement, and turning what could have been a headache into John's Dojo — a community event space rooted in legacy, martial arts history, and the kind of quiet magic that makes people not want to leave.We get into the documentary she's been quietly filming about the dojo, Harlem, and the uncle she never fully knew. We talk about what real community-building looks like from the inside — the logistics, the block associations, the grants, the hard editing blocks. And we go deep on what it means to be a steward of Black property in a city that's working overtime to make that nearly impossible.Bri also breaks down her nonprofit foundation — 12 years of scholarship work, 70+ students awarded, and a new podcast for the scholars she's been quietly building with.This one is about ownership. Legacy. And what happens when you stop waiting for permission to build something that lasts.#Harlem #BlackOwnership #JohnsDojo #HarlemHistory #BlackCommunity #NYC #RedInBlack #DownToEarth #GenerationalWealth #BlackEntrepreneurship #HarlemBrownstone #BlackLegacy #CommunityBuilding #BlackMartialArts #nycpodcast Harlem, Black ownership, Harlem brownstone, John's Dojo, Black community NYC, Harlem documentary, Black history New York, community building, Black entrepreneurship, NYC podcast, Red in Black podcast, Down to Earth, generational wealth, Black martial arts, Harlem gentrification, nonprofit founder, Black legacy, New York City culture, Black Panthers history, Harlem history, community space NYC, Black owned business, scholarship program, Sugar Hill Harlem, brownstone NYCTIMESTAMPS00:00:00 - The feeling of "magic" and community in the Harlem brownstone00:00:29 - Introduction to Briana Brown: Managing personalities and staying calm00:03:48 - The decision to move to Harlem and commuting challenges00:04:42 - Moving into the family home in October 202200:04:57 - Caribbean culture and the sentimentality of holding onto family items00:08:29 - Visualizing the 5-story brownstone layout and finding hidden treasures00:11:55 - Building community through backyard vibes and fire pits00:13:09 - Discovering a locked family box on the parlor level00:14:47 - Capturing Uncle John's oral history and the importance of legacy00:19:38 - Finding Black Panther karate tapes and Malcolm X literature01:44:15 - Reflections on early education and financial independence at age 1701:45:10 - STEM leadership and staying involved with campus life01:45:30 - Self-care routines: Vacations, saunas, and water-based relaxation01:46:20 - The "loophole" of using massage memberships while traveling for work01:47:12 - Why the house feels like the boarding house from "Hey Arnold"01:47:40 - The joy of hosting and creating a space for family and community