The VBG Brief

The VBG Brief Episode #14: Nonprofit Growth Is Intentional: A Conversation with Andy Gray of Catalyst for Harmony

Todd and Wels sit down in the Twin Cities with longtime friend and collaborator Andy Gray, Executive Director of Catalyst for Harmony. From a heart attack the morning after announcing his transition to launch Catalyst, to building discipleship-centered cohorts and national Sankofa trips, Andy shares why nonprofit growth has to be intentional—rooted in vision, paced with patience, and supported by systems, brand, and storytelling. We also unpack VBG’s role in helping Catalyst translate mission into media, including documentary work from Sankofa journeys. What You’ll Learn * Why “build slow, build strong” beats quick wins for nonprofit impact * How to stand up a new nonprofit: board, legal, finance, site, and fundraising platform * The power of discipleship-driven formation over one-off events * Why Sankofa trips create lasting empathy and multi-ethnic ministry momentum * Practical advice for leaders: align vision with infrastructure and generational skill sets * How brand, video, and web help unlock grants, partnerships, and community trust Highlights & Timestamps * 00:01 – Cold open and on-location intro from the Twin Cities * 03:30 – Andy’s story: engineering, pastoring, then launching Catalyst for Harmony * 07:12 – The moment that sparked action: Philando Castile, presence, and pastoral care * 13:51 – 2020–2022: calling crystallizes, paperwork, launch—then recovery after a heart attack * 23:08 – Starting a nonprofit: articles, board, payroll, website, and why details matter * 28:05 – Visionaries need operators: pace yourself for five-year outcomes * 31:12 – Generational collaboration: pairing mission with modern media and systems * 36:42 – National Sankofa initiative, and the Flourishing Together Cohort model * 40:15 – What’s next: more cohorts, a larger national trip, deeper church partnerships

The VBG Brief Episode Episode 13: Rebuilding Vision

In this episode, the hosts welcome Dr. Caleb St. Jean, an optometrist, and owner of Eyes On Central in St. Petersburg, Florida. They discuss his journey into optometry, the innovations he is bringing to his practice, and the challenges of running a small business in a competitive market. Dr. St. Jean shares his personal story of how his mother's experience with glaucoma inspired his passion for eye care. The conversation also touches on community engagement, marketing strategies, and the importance of faith and resilience in overcoming setbacks. Dr. St. Jean emphasizes the need for representation in the field of optometry and shares his vision for the future of his practice. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:45 The Journey of Eyes On Central 05:45 Innovations in Optometry 08:31 Personal Passion for Vision Care 11:32 Business Challenges and Opportunities 14:26 Community Engagement and Marketing 19:57 Unexpected Health Insights 21:18 Community Collaboration in Business 22:29 Faith and Business Resilience 25:30 Future Visions for Eyes on Central 27:25 Navigating Setbacks as an Entrepreneur 30:18 Connecting with the Community

The VBG Brief Episode 12: Meet The Intern

This week on The VBG Brief, we’re welcoming Elijah, our Q3 Business Development Intern. Hear his story, learn what he’s focused on, and why this internship is about more than just experience—it’s about building something that lasts. Whether you're a founder or fellow student, you'll walk away with insight into how we approach business development at VBG.

The VBG Brief Episode 11: Age vs Expertise featuring our Newest Member of the Team Member

This week on The VBG Brief, we welcome our new CMO, Gernise Gregoire, and dive into a conversation that challenges the status quo: what makes someone an expert? Is it age? Time in the game? Or results? From overcoming bias to building credibility as a young leader, we’re unpacking the real definition of expertise—and what it means for creative professionals today.

The VBG Brief Episode 10: From Systems to Success – How We Built Creative Momentum in Q2

In Episode 10 of The VBG Brief, the team sits down to reflect on Q2—from new creative breakthroughs to the systems behind their campaigns. Todd, Wels, and Al walk through their Sankofa video project, how they helped raise $54K for a nonprofit client, and why Q3 is all about working smarter. If you’re a small business, startup, or nonprofit leader, this is a raw and tactical breakdown of what it looks like to build creative momentum with strategy and clarity.