Carol Ray-Holmes on AI, Black Tech, and 40 Years of Opening Doors

AI Adoption Has a Human Problem

In this episode of the Notable & Black in Tech Podcast, B Donald Harris, Major Phillips, and Randall Phillips sit down with LaMont Wheat, Executive AI Integration Architect, Founder of UHMUM Learning, and creator of the PhaseLock™ framework. LaMont brings a powerful perspective on what it really means to lead in the agentic AI era. This conversation moves beyond the hype of AI tools and automation into something deeper: clarity, authorship, governance, human agency, and leadership under pressure. We talk about why organizations often struggle with AI adoption, how AI can accelerate friction when teams are not properly oriented, and why leaders must understand that AI does not replace leadership — it reveals it. LaMont also breaks down his work as a Harmonic Architect, helping leaders and organizations move from fragmented AI usage to aligned execution. This episode is for founders, executives, technologists, builders, and anyone trying to understand how to use AI without losing control of the human systems behind it. Topics we cover: * What it means to be a Harmonic Architect * Why AI orientation matters before adoption * The danger of moving too fast without structure * How AI exposes leadership gaps * Human-in-the-loop governance * Why “living governance” matters in the agentic era * How leaders can maintain authorship, clarity, and control * The PhaseLock™ framework * AI, identity, resistance, and organizational change Connect with LaMont Wheat UHMUM Learning: https://uhmum.com [https://uhmum.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamontwheat [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamontwheat] Executive AI Orientation Reset: https://stan.store/lamontwheat/p/ai-orientation-reset [https://stan.store/lamontwheat/p/ai-orientation-reset] Email: Lamont@uhmum.com [Lamont@uhmum.com] Guest: LaMont Wheat Harmonic Architect | Executive AI Stabilization & Governance Advisor Founder, PhaseLock™ — Human-in-the-Loop Coherence for the Agentic Era Hosted by: B Donald Harris - https://www.instagram.com/notablebit/ [https://www.instagram.com/notablebit/] Major Phillips - https://www.instagram.com/bi.leader/ [https://www.instagram.com/bi.leader/] Randall Phillips - https://www.instagram.com/randall.c.phillips/ [https://www.instagram.com/randall.c.phillips/] https://bitvoices.network [https://bitvoices.network] Subscribe for more conversations with the Notable & Black in Tech. #NotableBIT #BlackInTech #BitVoices #ArtificialIntelligence #AILeadership #AIGovernance #AgenticAI #BlackTech #TechPodcast #LeadershipAndAI

Building Human-First Systems in the Age of AI | Yousef Bin Ageil on StoreHouse & The Soil Institute

In this episode of the Notable & Black in Tech Podcast, B Donald Harris, Major Phillips, and Randall Phillips sit down with Yousef Bin Ageil, founder of The Soil Institute and creator of StoreHouse, a next-generation micro-grocery model designed to fight food deserts, support local farmers, and build community-owned food systems. Yousef shares the powerful story behind his mission, from being impacted as a child by the realities of hunger and human suffering, to building early businesses, traveling to Indonesia at 21, working around innovation and government leadership, and living among farmers across the region. Those experiences shaped his belief that essential systems like food, water, shelter, health, and belonging should serve people, protect dignity, and remain in the hands of communities. The conversation explores how broken systems often leave both farmers and communities without power, why middlemen can distort access and ownership, and how StoreHouse is being designed to connect farmers directly with communities that need fresh food. Yousef also discusses the launch of The Soil Institute, the evolution of StoreHouse, the importance of truth and ownership in founder-led work, and his vision for Year Zero: The Human Rebirth, a documentary project exploring humanity, AI, sustainable systems, and the future of human-centered innovation. This is a conversation about purpose, faith, technology, food justice, human dignity, community ownership, and what it means to build systems that serve people instead of replacing them. Connect with Yousef Bin Ageil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousefbinageil/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousefbinageil/] Instagram: @Iamyabaa The Soil Institute: @ThesoilInstitute Website: The Soil Institute StoreHouse Project: StoreHouse Initiative Email: info@thesoilinstitute.org [info@thesoilinstitute.org] Topics covered: Community-owned systems, food deserts, StoreHouse, The Soil Institute, farmers, AI, human dignity, future of work, sustainable systems, Black builders, entrepreneurship, purpose, ownership, and Year Zero: The Human Rebirth. https://www.instagram.com/notablebit/ [https://www.instagram.com/notablebit/] https://www.instagram.com/bi.leader/ [https://www.instagram.com/bi.leader/] https://www.instagram.com/randall.c.phillips/ [https://www.instagram.com/randall.c.phillips/]

From Power BI Queen to Purpose-Driven Builder | DeNisha Malone on AI, Data & Thinkers and Doers

In this episode of The Notable & Black in Tech Podcast, we sit down with DeNisha Malone — widely known as the Power BI Queen — to talk about her journey in data, her work in AI, and how she’s helping create real pathways into tech for the next generation. From Power BI and Microsoft Copilot to mentorship, entrepreneurship, and purpose-driven work, this conversation is full of insight for anyone trying to grow in today’s tech landscape. We also talk about Thinkers & Doers, DeNisha’s initiative focused on helping students bridge the gap between learning and real-world application through mentorship, project-based experience, and exposure to real opportunities in data and AI. She shares why practical experience matters, how AI is changing the way we work, and why people need to adapt, learn, and stay ready as the industry continues to evolve. This episode touches on: Power BI and Microsoft Fabric AI in the modern workflow Mentorship and workforce readiness Creating real opportunities for students * Entrepreneurship, purpose, and building beyond tech titles Connect with DeNisha Malone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denishamalone [https://www.linkedin.com/in/denishamalone] Thinkers & Doers: https://thinkersdoers.org [https://thinkersdoers.org] God's Farmacy: https://www.denisham.com/ [https://www.denisham.com/] Call to Action Apply to the Thinkers & Doers mentorship program as a student, or partner with the organization to bring data and AI solutions to your company or community. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations amplifying Black voices in tech. https://www.instagram.com/notablebit/ [https://www.instagram.com/notablebit/] https://www.instagram.com/bi.leader/ [https://www.instagram.com/bi.leader/] https://www.instagram.com/randall.c.phillips/ [https://www.instagram.com/randall.c.phillips/] https://bitvoices.network [https://bitvoices.network]

AI, Community, and Comebacks: The Real Tech Journey

In this episode, we sit down with JC Smiley, Founder of Tech Scene Media, to talk about building community, navigating tech, and creating access where it doesn’t exist. JC shares his journey—from stepping away from tech for nearly 20 years to teaching himself again and building a platform that connects Memphis’ growing tech ecosystem. We also dive into: * How AI is changing how developers work * Why community is the real advantage in tech * The importance of visibility and access * Lessons from building without a roadmap * Why it’s never too late to get back into tech This conversation is for builders, creators, and anyone trying to find their place in tech. 🎯 Key Takeaway: Tech isn’t just about skills—it’s about community, access, and showing people they belong. 🔗 Connect with JC Smiley: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcsmileyjr/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcsmileyjr/] https://memphistechscene.beehiiv.com/ [https://memphistechscene.beehiiv.com/] 🚀 Join the movement: BIT Voices is building a new kind of tech community—where builders connect, collaborate, and grow. https://bitvoices.network [https://bitvoices.network]

Carol Ray-Holmes on AI, Black Tech, and 40 Years of Opening Doors

In this episode of the Notable & Black in Tech Podcast, B Donald, Major, and Randall sit down with Carol Ray-Holmes—technology educator, Microsoft Certified Trainer, community mentor, and founder of Lady Ray Computer Services LLC.Carol shares her remarkable journey through nearly 40 years in tech, from teaching Microsoft tools and earning dozens of certifications to building an AI-powered platform designed to help people become more competitive in today’s job market. This conversation dives into: • Carol’s journey into technology • What AI means for Black professionals and communities • Why ethics, equity, and ownership matter in tech • How her app helps users identify skill gaps, prepare for jobs, and grow in AI • The power of mentorship, exposure, and opening doors for the next generation This is a powerful episode about resilience, reinvention, and making sure Black talent is not left behind in the future of technology. Guest: Carol Ray-Holmes Host: B Donald Harris Co-Hosts: Major Phillips, Randall Phillips Connect with Carol Ray-Holmes:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladyraycomputer-b621769/https://ai-career-launchpad-8c543d2b.base44.appConnect [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladyraycomputer-b621769/https://ai-career-launchpad-8c543d2b.base44.appConnect] with NotableBIT / BIT Voices:https://notablebit.comhttps://bitvoices.networkSubscribe [https://notablebit.comhttps://bitvoices.networkSubscribe] for more conversations highlighting Black technologists, founders, and builders shaping the future. #BlackInTech #AI #WomenInTech #TechCareers #NotableBIT #ArtificialIntelligence #CareerDevelopment #BlackWomenInTech #TechPodcast #DigitalEquity