Built to Last

In this special episode ofBuilt To Last, host Elaine Welteroth continues to shed a light on pioneering Black entrepreneurs of our past and present, honoring Black History Month. Elaine chats with Amanda-Jane Thomas and Shanita Nicholas, founders of the Inglewood, CA coffee shop, Sip & Sonder, about the importance of serving their community, finding joy in the journey and taking up space amidst a pandemic. Honoring the legacy of the woman who laid the foundation for coffee houses like Sip & Sonder, writer, producer, host, and content queen Danielle Young narrates the story of Rose Nicaud. Rose is regarded as the first coffee vendor in New Orleans who in the 1800’s bought her freedom by selling her famous café au lait at the popular French Market. To learn more about the small business featured in today’s episode, visitwww.sipandsonder.com [http://www.sipandsonder.com/]. Also, make sure to follow Sip & Sonder on Instagram @sipandsonder. Continue the conversation by reaching out to us @americanexpress on social media or by using #AmexBuiltToLast. Be sure to check out the video version on AMEX’s YouTube page featuring illustrations by Lo Harris. Relevant sources: * https://www.nola.com/300/article_868c404b-68ca-5683-81f0-cfe01ebb1806.html [https://www.nola.com/300/article_868c404b-68ca-5683-81f0-cfe01ebb1806.html] * https://www.caferosenicaud.com/our-roots [https://www.caferosenicaud.com/our-roots] * https://www.neworleansbar.org/uploads/files/Coffee%20With%20Chicory%20Part%202%2012_10_18.pdf [https://www.neworleansbar.org/uploads/files/Coffee%20With%20Chicory%20Part%202%2012_10_18.pdf] * https://www.sipandsonder.com/ [https://www.sipandsonder.com/] * https://blacksouthernbelle.com/les-vendeuses-of-the-french-quarter-women-who-sold-food-for-freedom/ [https://blacksouthernbelle.com/les-vendeuses-of-the-french-quarter-women-who-sold-food-for-freedom/]

In the final episode of Built to Last, host Elaine Welteroth chats with Shannon Maldonado, founder and owner of home & lifestyle shop Yowie. The two discuss the evolution of retail, the importance of following your passion, and why she returned to her home community of Philadelphia. Journalist and TV/podcast host Brandon “Jinx” Jenkins narrates the life and legacy of Henry Boyd and H. Boyd Company, a successful craftsman who understood the importance of purposeful design. Though Boyd’s journey started as an enslaved laborer, he bought his own freedom and went on to build his own woodworking shop where he created his notable piece: a modernized design of the bed frame. To learn more about the small business featured in today’s episode, visitwww.shopyowie.com [http://www.shopyowie.com/]or pay a visit to her storefront at 716 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147. Also, make sure to follow Yowie on Instagram @HelloYowie. Continue the conversation by reaching out to us @americanexpress on social media or by using #AmexBuiltToLast. Be sure to check out the video version on AMEX’s YouTube page featuring illustrations by Reyna Noriega. This episode was recorded prior to the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Relevant sources: * http://www.diggingcincinnati.com/2014/02/henry-boyd-former-slave-and-cincinnati.html [http://www.diggingcincinnati.com/2014/02/henry-boyd-former-slave-and-cincinnati.html] * https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2012.113.1a-m [https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2012.113.1a-m]

In this episode of Built to Last, host Elaine Welteroth sits down with stylish twin eyewear designers Coco & Breezy to discuss the forces that inspired Coco & Breezy eyewear, the fine art of self-care, and the unique business challenges presented by the pandemic. Paying homage to the original inventor and innovator of the “eye protector,” fashion and beauty influencer Tiffany M. Battle retells the life and legacy of Powell Johnson. Without Johnson’s revolutionary product, Coco & Breezy—among scores of other eyewear companies—would not exist today. To learn more about the small business featured in today’s episode, visit www.cocoandbreezy.com [http://www.cocoandbreezy.com] and if you’re looking to dance and sing, follow them on Instagram @cocoandbreezy to get your groove while listening to their DJ sets! Continue the conversation by reaching out to us @americanexpress on social media or by using #AmexBuiltToLast. Be sure to check out the video version on AMEX’s YouTube page featuring illustrations by Reyna Noriega. This episode was recorded prior to the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Relevant sources: * https://patentyogi.com/this-day-in-patent-history/this-day-in-patent-history-on-november-21880-johnson-powell-received-a-patent-for-an-eye-protector/#:~:text=an%20eye%2Dprotector-,This%20Day%20in%20Patent%20History%20%2D%20On%20November%202%2C1880%2C,patent%20for%20an%20eye%2Dprotector&text=chat_bubble_outline-,On%20November%202%2C1880%2C%20Johnson%20Powell%20received%20a%20patent%20for,to%20glare%20of%20strong%20light [https://patentyogi.com/this-day-in-patent-history/this-day-in-patent-history-on-november-21880-johnson-powell-received-a-patent-for-an-eye-protector/#:~:text=an%20eye%2Dprotector-,This%20Day%20in%20Patent%20History%20%2D%20On%20November%202%2C1880%2C,patent%20for%20an%20eye%2Dprotector&text=chat_bubble_outline-,On%20November%202%2C1880%2C%20Johnson%20Powell%20received%20a%20patent%20for,to%20glare%20of%20strong%20light]. * https://lisadcook.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pats_paper17_1013_final_web.pdf [https://lisadcook.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pats_paper17_1013_final_web.pdf] * https://patents.google.com/patent/US234039A/en [https://patents.google.com/patent/US234039A/en] * https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h1549.html [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h1549.html] * https://www.revolt.tv/2020/9/9/21429774/7-coco-and-breezy-facts [https://www.revolt.tv/2020/9/9/21429774/7-coco-and-breezy-facts] * https://www.thehelm.co/coco-and-breezy-eyewear-capsule/ [https://www.thehelm.co/coco-and-breezy-eyewear-capsule/] * https://www.ebony.com/career-finance/black-owned-business-erased/ [https://www.ebony.com/career-finance/black-owned-business-erased/]

In this episode of Built to Last, host Elaine Welteroth chats with Hannah Diop—founder of hair care line Sienna Naturals—and Issa Rae, the co-owner and face of the brand. Together they discuss the importance of clean, quality products, celebrate natural hair and the power of delegation. Reflecting on the pioneer who paved the way for the Black haircare industry, art curator and writer Kimberly Drew narrates the life and legacy of Annie Malone, one of the first female Black American millionaires and a trailblazer in beauty care products and philanthropy. To learn more about the small business featured in today’s episode, visitwww.siennanaturals.com [http://www.siennanaturals.com/]. Also make sure to follow Sienna Naturals on Instagram @SiennaNaturals and Issa Rae @IssaRae to learn more about all of her latest projects! Continue the conversation by reaching out to us @americanexpress on social media or by using #AmexBuiltToLast. Be sure to check out the video version on AMEX’s YouTube page featuring illustrations by Reyna Noriega. This episode was recorded prior to the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Relevant sources: * https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a31225269/self-made-addie-annie-turnbo-malone-facts/ [https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a31225269/self-made-addie-annie-turnbo-malone-facts/] * https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/annie-malone-and-madam-cj-walker-pioneers-african-american-beauty-industry [https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/annie-malone-and-madam-cj-walker-pioneers-african-american-beauty-industry] * https://columbia-mo.aauw.net/notablewomen/womenfm/annie-malone/ [https://columbia-mo.aauw.net/notablewomen/womenfm/annie-malone/] * https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a31225269/self-made-addie-annie-turnbo-malone-facts/ [https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a31225269/self-made-addie-annie-turnbo-malone-facts/] * https://books.google.com/books?id=KWLbbcCQ0T8C&pg=PA241&dq=annie+malone+divorce+1927&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjThd3crIHoAhXZlnIEHW2vA1wQ6AEwAHoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q=annie%20malone%20divorce%201927&f=false [https://books.google.com/books?id=KWLbbcCQ0T8C&pg=PA241&dq=annie+malone+divorce+1927&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjThd3crIHoAhXZlnIEHW2vA1wQ6AEwAHoECAEQAg#v=onepage&q=annie%20malone%20divorce%201927&f=false] * https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWMN4gpX4d0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWMN4gpX4d0]

In this episode of Built to Last, host Elaine Welteroth chats with Anifa Mvuemba—founder of the womenswear brand, Hanifa. Together they uncover the inspiration behind Hanifa, the craft of designing for Black women, and how community serves as a motivator in the face of entrepreneurial challenges. Reflecting on the pioneer that paved the way, celebrity stylist Zerina Akers introduces us to Zelda Wynn Valdes, fashion designer and creator of the iconic Playboy Bunny costume. Valdes’ designs were seen on everyone from Josephine Baker to Diahann Carroll and were known to exude ultimate femininity and confidence for a woman, just as Hanifa does for its clientele. To learn more about the small business featured in today’s episode, visitwww.hanifa.co [http://www.hanifa.co/]. Also make sure to follow Hanifa on Instagram @HanifaOfficial. Continue the conversation by reaching out to us @americanexpress on social media or by using #AmexBuiltToLast. Be sure to check out the video version on AMEX’s YouTube page featuring illustrations by Reyna Noriega. This episode was recorded prior to the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. Relevant sources: * https://kentakepage.com/zelda-wynn-valdes-the-creator-of-the-playboy-bunny-costume [https://kentakepage.com/zelda-wynn-valdes-the-creator-of-the-playboy-bunny-costume] * https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/23/nyregion/about-new-york-matriarch-of-dancers-sews-clothing-of-delight.html [https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/23/nyregion/about-new-york-matriarch-of-dancers-sews-clothing-of-delight.html]