Wale Mafolasire on Overcoming 300 Rejections to Build Givelify

Seasons of Abundance: Regina Harmon on Building the Community Storehouse

We’ve all felt it at the grocery checkout lately. Between shifting global markets and rising supply chain costs, keeping the family table full and the business budget balanced takes a lot more strategy these days. Dropping just in time for Juneteenth week, this episode is a timely reminder that true freedom and economic peace of mind start right at home, in our own communities. As we get ready to wrap up Season 2 of The Black Business Live Podcast, host Tolu Akindunni sits down with the incredible Regina Harmon, CEO of Food Recovery Network, for a conversation that is less about traditional charity and much more about collective abundance. Regina shares a fresh, uplifting perspective on how we can look at the resources right in front of us differently. You may be a local business owner looking to make your operations more sustainable or simply someone who wants to see their neighborhood thrive. This episode gives you a practical, hopeful blueprint for building our own modern-day storehouses. Pull up a chair and press play as we delve into self-reliance, community care, and shifting the narrative for good. Key Highlights & Timestamps: - 7:53 – How a simple campus idea scaled over 15 years into a massive national network that has recovered 24 million pounds of food across 46 states. - 14:42 – The shocking environmental cost of food waste and why organic surplus has become the number one item clogging our landfills today. - 22:27 – How local caterers, restaurants, conference organizers and coffee shops can save money, earn tax credits, and stay legally protected when donating food. - 39:28 – Addressing racial disparities in food insecurity head-on and a call to action on how you can support the movement to make recovery the standard norm. Actionable Resources Ready to close the waste loop in your own operations and protect your local economy? - Explore the Toolkits: Access free legal guides, tracking sheets, and implementation frameworks at the Food Recovery Network Resource Hub: foodrecoverynetwork.org/food-recovery-resource-hub - ReFED Data Insights: Explore the structural data around U.S. food supply chains: refed.org Featured Guest: Regina Harmon Regina Harmon has served as the CEO of Food Recovery Network (FRN) since 2015, transforming it into one of the largest student-driven movements fighting hunger and climate change in the U.S.  Named one of the food industry's most influential leaders by Le prestige / SELF Magazine, Regina is a prominent voice on systemic equity and corporate accountability. Her global insights have been featured on CNN and Al Jazeera, and she actively drives policy change as a board member for Food Tank, Earth Island Institute, and ReFED’s Advisory Council. Connect with Regina & FRN: - Regina Harmon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginadmanderson/ - Food Recovery Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/food-recovery-network - Website: foodrecoverynetwork.org Thank You For Listening!  If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale Help us amplify Black excellence by: - Sharing on your social media - Tagging @bblivepodcast - Inviting a friend to tune in Connect With Us: Website: www.blackandb.com/podcast Discover the network: www.blackandb.com/community Email: contact@bblivepodcast.com  Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com  This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.   #FoodWaste #FoodInsecurity #SmallBusinessTips #Juneteenth #Sustainability #FoodRecoveryNetwork #EconomicFreedom #FoodJustice #SocialImpact #CommunityAbundance #BlackBusinessLivePodcast #ToluAkindunni #ReginaHarmon

Wale Mafolasire on Overcoming 300 Rejections to Build Givelify

What happens when you face over 300 rejections from investors? You go out and build it yourself. In this episode of The Black Business Live Podcast, host Tolu Akindunni sits down with Wale Mafolasire, the founder and CEO of Givelify: the digital giving platform that has processed billions of dollars for over two million donors. From walking away from the medical career his parents expected to standing firm on a "No Plan B" path, Wale shares the raw realities of his 12-year journey. We talk about the boots-on-the-ground research that led to Givelify's simple "three-tap" design, the changes needed to lead a team of over 150 people, and how a multi-billion dollar platform keeps a zero-layoff track record by staying true to its core values and uncompromising integrity. Note: This episode was recorded in front of a live studio audience. The Big Takeaways * The Origin Story: The moment of frustration in a church pew that sparked a multi-billion dollar idea. * The "No Plan B" Mentality [24:50 / 42:06]: How Wale handled 300+ venture capital rejections, shifted to a bootstrapping mindset, and used that friction to build a durable, completely independent company. * Studying the Human Element: A look at how visiting over 70 churches to observe real people led to a frictionless product design that puts the joy back into giving. * The Four Keys Framework: An inside look at Givelify's decision-making choices (Integrity, Heart, Simplicity, and Wow), and why Integrity is the non-negotiable anchor for every move they make. Key Moments & Timestamps: * 07:12 – The Spark: The inspiration came from a moment in church when Wale realized he could read the Bible on his phone but couldn't use it to give. * 15:40 – Research & Product Design: Why the team visited 70–75 churches to understand the human behavior of giving before writing a single line of code. * 24:50 – The Pivot to Bootstrapping: Shifting focus entirely to product improvement, customer feedback, and survival when investor money wasn't coming. * 32:07 – The Four Keys Framework: Breaking down Givelify’s core decision-making filters: Integrity, Heart, Simplicity, and Wow. * 42:06 – The "No Plan B" Philosophy: Why having a safety net is just a distraction for bootstrapping entrepreneurs. * 51:44 – Live Q&A Session: The studio audience grills Wale on serving for-profit businesses and future diversification/expansion plans. Featured Guest: Wale Mafolasire Wale Mafolasire is a leading voice at the intersection of technology, faith, and generosity. As the Founder and CEO of Givelify, he uses behavioral insights to make giving simple and impactful. He has been recognized as a Top CEO to Watch (2024) and holds a Black Leadership Award for his commitment to excellence in the African and Black business community. * Connect with Wale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walemafolasire/ [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/walemafolasire/] * Learn More About Givelify: https://www.givelify.com [https://www.givelify.com] Thank You For Listening!  If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale Help us amplify Black excellence by: * Sharing on your social media * Tagging @bblivepodcast * Inviting a friend to tune in Connect With Us: * Website: www.blackandb.com/podcast [http://www.blackandb.com/podcast] * Discover the network: www.blackandb.com/community [https://www.google.com/search?q=http://www.blackandb.com/community] * Email: contact@bblivepodcast.com [contact@bblivepodcast.com]  * Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com [collab@bblivepodcast.com]  This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.

The Hustle Trap: Building Scalable Wealth & Strategic Influence with Krishna Powell

In this high-impact conclusion to the Small Business Month segment of our Podcast Season 2, Tolu Akindunni is joined by "Your Multi-Gen Leader," Krishna Powell, the CEO of HR 4 Your Small Biz. Throughout this month-long exploration, we have focused on the leader behind the business; digging into what it truly takes to sustain resilience, command influence, and build community. We have sat with the "shadow self" and the deep inner work required to manifest excellence. Now, this final May installment tackles the ultimate barrier to growth: the "Hustle Trap." Many entrepreneurs (particularly in the Black community) work twice as hard but hit a wealth ceiling because they have built a job for themselves rather than a scalable asset. Krishna Powell, a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses faculty member, challenges the idea that more sweat equals more success. She provides a clear path for "Systems Over Sweat," showing founders how to extract their "magic formula" and replicate it through a high-performing, multigenerational team. This conversation serves as the bridge between the inner work of a leader and the practical steps required to build a legacy that generates wealth long after you’ve stepped away from the daily grind. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The "Mini-Me" Fallacy: Why looking for a clone of yourself creates significant gaps and how to hire for the "welcome differences" that actually challenge and grow your vision. * Knowledge Transfer as Wealth: How to leverage the 10,000 Baby Boomers retiring daily to gain decades of institutional data that AI simply cannot replicate. * The Family Hierarchy Trap: Navigating the complex emotional dynamics of hiring siblings or elders and keeping family reunions professional. * Hiring Toward the Goal: Why your first hire shouldn't be a generic virtual assistant, but a strategic role specifically designed to move the needle on your revenue. 5 Moments to Skip To: * 06:15: The "Math ain't Mathing" - Ensuring every role is tied to revenue or life-ease for the CEO. * 12:50: Why Krishna says, "I don't need another me; I need my employees." * 15:52: Managing the Family Hierarchy -  When your older sister is your employee. * 25:40: The Open Door Fallacy - Why leadership behavior matters more than policy. * 36:12: The AI vs. HI - Why you can't depend on a bot to provide the "human touch" clients pay for. Featured Guest: Krishna Powell Krishna Powell is the Founder and CEO of HR 4 Your Small Biz and a nationally renowned expert on managing multigenerational and multicultural workforces. A faculty member at the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, she has been featured on CNBC and Yahoo Finance for her success in helping global entrepreneurs improve their human resources function to drive profitability. * Website: hr4yoursmallbiz.com * Need Additional Support? Receive 50% off a Discovery Call with Krishna. Email clientcare@hr4yoursmallbiz.com to schedule your 45-minute session for $97 and claim your discounted rate. Thank You For Listening! If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale. Help us amplify Black excellence by: * Sharing on your social media * Tagging @bblivepodcast * Inviting a friend to tune in Connect With Us: * Website: www.blackandb.com/podcast * Discover the network: www.blackandb.com/community * Email: contact@bblivepodcast.com  * Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com  This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.                "Representation drives aspiration. When you see the path, the impossible becomes a plan."

Philanthropy, Power, and the Roadmap to Legacy

Most business owners think their biggest hurdle is capital, but the truth is often deeper: it’s a connection problem. In this episode of the Black Business Live Podcast, host Tolu Akindunni sits down with Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew, CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, to peel back the layers of what it truly takes to lead and last. Moving far beyond surface-level networking, Dr. Froswa’ challenges us to look at relationships as our most valuable currency. From the heavy reality of being the "only" Black woman in a corporate boardroom to the grounding, intergenerational wisdom found on a front porch, this conversation is an invitation to do the "deep work." It’s a roadmap for the Black and African business community to move past the daily hustle and start building a legacy that survives (and thrives!) long after we’ve stepped away from the desk. In This Episode, We Discuss: * Why "favor capital" and "informational capital" are the hidden engines of business growth. * How to navigate the weight of collective representation without losing your authentic self. * Why you don’t need a million-dollar check to change your community. * The vital importance of intentional mentorship and passing the torch within our communities. * Why facing your past traumas will protect your team and your future. 5 Moments to Skip To: * 05:40: The Power of Multigenerational Legacy: Why legacy and mentoring should be practiced throughout your life rather than just at the end. * 13:59: Redefining Philanthropy: Breaking down the "love of humanity" and how to practice it through time, talent, treasure, and testimony. * 19:24: Social Capital as Currency: Why relationships are a form of currency that can accelerate professional growth. * 27:14: The "Front Porch": The inspiration behind the Front Porch Wisdom book and the importance of creating intentional community. Featured Guest: Dr. Froswa Booker-Drew Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew is an award-winning philanthropic strategist, author, and the CEO of Soulstice Consultancy. With over 30 years of experience in systems change and community engagement, she specializes in building trust-based relationships and social capital for organizations and leaders. * Connect with Dr. Froswa’: www.drfroswabooker.com [https://www.drfroswabooker.com/services]  * The Book: Front Porch Wisdom by Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew (2026 Most Outstanding Book Award Winner): rebrand.ly/front-porch [http://rebrand.ly/front-porch]  * Heritage Giving Fund: www.heritagegivingfund.org [http://www.heritagegivingfund.org] Thank You For Listening! If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale. Help us amplify Black excellence by: * Sharing on your social media * Tagging @bblivepodcast * Inviting a friend to tune in Connect With Us: * Website: www.blackandb.com/podcast [http://www.blackandb.com/podcast] * Discover the network: www.blackandb.com/community [https://www.google.com/search?q=http://www.blackandb.com/community] * Email: contact@bblivepodcast.com [contact@bblivepodcast.com]  * Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com [collab@bblivepodcast.com]  This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.                "Representation drives aspiration. When you see the path, the impossible becomes a plan."

Unapologetically Whole: The Grace of Becoming with Lola Dada-Olley

"Wholeness is not the absence of struggle; it is the presence of your full self in the midst of it." In this powerful episode of The Black Business Live Podcast, Tolu Akindunni sits down with Lola Dada-Olley, an attorney, author, and "Hope Multiplier." Born to first-generation immigrant parents, Lola was raised with a focus of excellence that led her to the top of the corporate legal world. But behind the professional accolades was a lived reality that required a different kind of "tactical grit." Lola shares her journey of caring for her two autistic children. She managed 70 hours of pediatric care per week for four years while also being a lifelong advocate for her younger brother, who is profoundly autistic and intellectually disabled.  We dive into how she transitioned from "performing resilience" to becoming Unapologetically Whole. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The Immigrant Blueprint: Shifting from a performance-based identity to a purpose-driven life. * The Caregiver’s MBA: How decades of navigating neurodiversity and the ADA created a sharper, more empathetic corporate leader. * The Influence of Storytelling: Using platforms like her podcast, Hulu, TEDx, and new book to move rooms and shape national culture. * Sustainable Ambition: How Black leaders can set boundaries and seek support without self-erasure. * Generational Healing: Reclaiming a version of success that honors both high-impact leadership and personal wholeness. 5 Moments to Skip To: * 02:52 – The Immigrant Blueprint: Growing up in a first-generation household where performance was the metric of success. * 05:46 – The "Year of the Tear": A raw look at the double autism diagnosis that forced a shift from a "perfect" success story to radical emotional truth. * 21:46 – The Strategic Pivot: How Lola leveraged "Tactical Grit" to move from the courtroom to the TEDx stage and global leadership. * 31:57 – The Five-Minute Pocket: A practical tool for busy leaders to find grounding in the midst of professional and personal chaos. * 44:02 – The Permission to Become: Lola's final mandate on why wholeness must always come before performance. Featured Guest: Lola Dada-Olley Lola leads the ADA legal team for a global banking institution and is the host of the Unapologetically Whole podcast. Her forthcoming memoir, "Unapologetically Whole," is a must-have for caregivers and high-achievers looking to redefine success after life-altering events. * Connect with Lola: https://loladadaolley.com [https://loladadaolley.com]  * Pre-Order the Book: Unapologetically Whole (Available May 12) https://rebrand.ly/unapologetically-whole [https://rebrand.ly/unapologetically-whole]. Get $3 off with code WHOLE  Thank You For Listening! If this episode hit home, leave us a review and share with a leader who is ready to scale. Help us amplify Black excellence by: * Sharing on your social media * Tagging @bblivepodcast * Inviting a friend to tune in Connect With Us: * Website: www.blackandb.com/podcast [http://www.blackandb.com/podcast] * Discover the network: www.blackandb.com/community [https://www.google.com/search?q=http://www.blackandb.com/community] * Email: contact@bblivepodcast.com [contact@bblivepodcast.com]  * Partnership & Sponsorship: collab@bblivepodcast.com [collab@bblivepodcast.com]  This podcast is built from the grind up; showcasing the real, the raw, and the rise of Black business.