EP31 _ Code-Switching by Day, Creating Content by Night with Corey.

EP31 _ Code-Switching by Day, Creating Content by Night with Corey.

In today's episode of The Black Impact, Tiffany interviews Corey Jones, a content creator and corporate professional, about the unique challenges faced by Black men in corporate America. As Corey shares his experiences, he sheds light on navigating corporate culture, identity struggles, and the pressure to overperform. This post explores essential insights you can apply to foster a more inclusive work environment.## About Corey JonesCorey Jones is a skilled content creator and corporate professional dedicated to sharing his journey of navigating corporate life as a Black man. With years of experience, Corey provides relatable insights on identity, work ethic, and authenticity in environments not always built for individuals like him.## The Illusion of Success: Survival in Corporate AmericaIn corporate settings, many Black men feel pressured to chase accolades that appear to signify success but often represent survival. Corey explains, "Chasing accolades is one thing that a lot of Black men feel they must do to be recognized as top performers. If you’re not seen as a top performer, you risk being overlooked."This relentless pursuit can lead to burnout, as many feel they need to go above and beyond merely to retain their positions. The struggle is real—overperforming just to sustain a seat at the table is a narrative many can relate to, but it’s essential to recognize it as a survival mechanism rather than genuine success.## Understanding Code-Switching and Its Impact on IdentityCorey shares his experience with code-switching, a common practice in which individuals alter their behavior, speech, or appearance to fit into a predominantly different cultural environment. He notes, "When I first started in corporate, I realized I was one of the few Black males and felt I had to blend in. I noticed myself changing my voice and demeanor to fit in with my colleagues."This behavior often leads to an internal conflict regarding identity. While Corey has since learned to embrace his authentic self, he reflects on how early experiences forced him to navigate spaces where he felt he couldn’t fully be himself. He emphasizes, "I realized that I was code-switching to adapt, but I am not high-energy like that outside of work."## The Trauma of Being Overlooked and SilencedOne striking point Corey makes is about feeling silenced in corporate environments. He recalls, "In my early days at corporate, I was the only Black male on my team. This led to challenges in communication, where people wouldn’t approach me directly and instead send others to talk to me. It felt like I was being silenced in a space where I couldn’t express myself."This sense of being overlooked extends into everyday interactions, both in the workplace and outside of it. Corey highlights the need for Black men to often initiate conversations and connections, stating, "We have to go out of our way to make contact. It’s rare for someone to approach us first."Created by ‪@Riversidefm‬ ✨Socials✨:https://www.instagram.com/the_blckimpact/https://www.instagram.com/shoppinattiffanys/https://linktr.ee/theblackimpactpodcast?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafrOHVA3D18ICTTW69N8Va9tibFml58PMqkYr7YXC9JRFJ4yp7Ed6nHJUHZJg_aem_hdYMf0EpQpgwp5OcjIXjmQ✨Socials✨:🎙️ Guest: Corey Jones @coreymjones3  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCZRKMb-dMx2sznEZABf-tIg] https://www.instagram.com/coreymjones3?igsh=MXB6djM2eXk3bDBzYg==https://youtube.com/@coreymjones3?si=LnVN9Gn7dAS3XNg5Corey the invisible, syllabus navigator unspoken rules of corporate Americahttps://coreymjones3.substack.com/p/the-invisible-syllabus-navigating?r=33r51e&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=post-publish&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3&triedRedirect=true&fbclid=PARlRTSASUBKtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaei_m3s-0wSZk2f4q2ZmZ-K2mCPS6KbLEtjkSTD7Y2PCKzyNEEM861Tv-R9ag_aem_CO7I5qMFz-89cqP1AJkCGg

EP 30_ HE HAD THE CAREER EVERYONE WANTED, BUT STILL FELT EMPTY _ Kenneth Kyrell

What happens when you walk away from everything that looks “successful” on paper?In this episode of The Blck Impact Podcast, we sit down with Kenneth Contrell as he shares his powerful journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. After graduating from Morehouse College and building a career in New York’s fashion industry, Kenneth found himself at a crossroads — financially stable, but internally unfulfilled.He opens up about the quiet burnout that led him to question everything, the fear that came with leaving stability behind, and the emotional toll of choosing purpose over comfort. From calling his parents in tears to eventually stepping into DJing, content creation, and building his own lifestyle brand, Kenneth’s story is one of faith, risk, and reinvention.Now as an entrepreneur and creator, he reflects on what it really takes to start over, the importance of support systems, and how fulfillment sometimes requires losing the life everyone else thinks you should keep.This is a conversation about identity, courage, and what it truly means to rebuild your life from the inside out.If you’ve ever felt stuck between stability and purpose — this episode is for you.Created by ‪@Riversidefm‬ ✨Socials✨:https://www.instagram.com/the_blckimpact/https://www.instagram.com/shoppinattiffanys/https://linktr.ee/theblackimpactpodcast?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafrOHVA3D18ICTTW69N8Va9tibFml58PMqkYr7YXC9JRFJ4yp7Ed6nHJUHZJg_aem_hdYMf0EpQpgwp5OcjIXjmQ✨Socials✨:🎙️ Guest: Kenneth Kyrell Content Creator/ Founder of Gentlemen Gatherhttps://www.instagram.com/kennethkyrell?igsh=ZW50ZG5pMmlucWJ2https://youtube.com/@kennethkyrell?si=hgA7UlnCIAxV3yHthttps://www.tiktok.com/@kennethkyrell?_r=1&_t=ZP-96f5yZFpyNa🎧Dj Playlist : https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/goodbye-my-love/pl.u-9N9LeV4Fy8162PSubscribe to The Blck Impact for more real conversations about healing, relationships, and breaking generational cycles in the Black community.#TheBlckImpactPodcast #KennethKyrell #Entrepreneurship #CorporateToCreative #BlackMenHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfGrowth #PurposeOverComfort #BlackExcellence #GentlemenGathered #HealingJourney #ContentCreator #BlackMentalHealth #EntrepreneurMindset #SelfCareForMen

EP29| Why most family stay broke_ No one taught us how to build wealth with Jessica Sarter

Feeling stuck in the cycle of generational wealth? Let’s break it down together.Tag someone who needs this.Jessica Sarter, a wealth strategist, shares her journey from banking to breaking barriers in financial education. She emphasizes that generational wealth isn't just about money—it's about knowledge and the right mindset. Many families struggle to pass down wealth due to misinformation or lack of guidance. The key? Start investing early and treat savings as a long-term goal, not just a fund for immediate expenses. Let’s change the narrative and ensure the next generation knows the value of building wealth.What’s your take on generational wealth? Created by ‪@Riversidefm‬ ✨Socials✨:https://www.instagram.com/the_blckimpact/https://www.instagram.com/shoppinattiffanys/https://linktr.ee/theblackimpactpodcast?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafrOHVA3D18ICTTW69N8Va9tibFml58PMqkYr7YXC9JRFJ4yp7Ed6nHJUHZJg_aem_hdYMf0EpQpgwp5OcjIXjmQ✨Socials✨:🎙️ Guest: Jessica Sarterhttps://www.instagram.com/jesatthecastle?igsh=aWM4NDN0cnA5dnlz If you’re looking for financial assistance, please book with JessicaWebsite https://www.castleviewwealth.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZnRzaARsnV5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacaS5ywKCHntyt9nriAKRjTGRLLGk67wMXQKZFWwVJvmvrvSHcZGYmBcXYFvw_aem_4crw5Lk01lvbA3ZribcwzQSubscribe to The Blck Impact for more real conversations about healing, relationships, and breaking generational cycles in the Black community.#GenerationalWealth #FinancialEducation #WealthStrategy #BlackImpactPodcast #WealthBuilding

EP 28| This side of Motherhood_ AUTISM, BURNOUT,BECOMING MYSELF AGAIN with Autumn Green

In this powerful episode of The Black Impact Podcast, Autumn Green opens up about the emotional reality of raising a child with unique needs while rebuilding her identity as a mother and entrepreneur.From leaving corporate life to stepping fully into entrepreneurship, Autumn shares what it looks like to navigate motherhood, autism awareness, grief, healing, and self-discovery all at once.This conversation brings awareness to something many mothers feel but rarely say out loud:the grief that can come from releasing the expectations you once had for motherhood and learning to embrace a new reality with love.💙 In honor of Autism Awareness Month, this episode is dedicated to creating more understanding, compassion, and support for families navigating life on the spectrum.What part of this conversation resonated with you most?Share in the comments below.#AutismAwareness #Motherhood #MentalHealth #Entrepreneurship #TheBlackImpact #AutismAcceptance #SpecialNeedsParentingCreated by ‪@Riversidefm‬ ✨Socials✨:https://www.instagram.com/the_blckimpact/https://www.instagram.com/shoppinattiffanys/https://linktr.ee/theblackimpactpodcast?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafrOHVA3D18ICTTW69N8Va9tibFml58PMqkYr7YXC9JRFJ4yp7Ed6nHJUHZJg_aem_hdYMf0EpQpgwp5OcjIXjmQ✨Socials✨:🎙️ Guest: Autumn Greenhttps://www.instagram.com/byautumnnikol?igsh=MXAyMWd3d2pzZmU1dg==Need a Brand Strategist- Book Nowhttps://www.instagram.com/scene.one.co?igsh=dDY4OXJkYXNoM2pnFor families navigating the journey of raising a child with autism, having the right support can make a meaningful difference. Below are a few helpful tools, resources, and communication devices that can assist parents and caregivers in creating a more supported and connected experience for their child.Autism Speakshttps://www.autismspeaks.org/CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder Informationhttps://www.cdc.gov/autism/Autism Society of Americahttps://autismsociety.org/Tobii Dynavox AAC Communication Deviceshttps://us.tobiidynavox.com/The Autism Store – Communication Deviceshttps://www.autism-store.com/HandyTalker AAC Deviceshttps://handytalker.com/Inclusive Technology – AAC Deviceshttps://www.inclusive.com/TalkTablet Speech Deviceshttps://usaspeechtablets.com/Talk To Me Technologieshttps://www.talktometechnologies.com/

EP 27_ Life Be Life[ing] with Khalif

Most entrepreneurs believe success comes from having everything perfectly planned. Khalif Lambert, founder of Life Be Lifing, shows how embracing life's ups and downs and owning your authentic self can fuel unstoppable growth. His journey from navigating societal norms as a gay Black man to building a thriving clothing brand and multiple businesses offers powerful lessons in resilience, self-awareness, and community support. In this episode, Khalif shares how his personal experiences with identity, mental health, and overcoming societal expectations shaped his remarkable entrepreneurial path. You’ll discover the transformative power of self-reflection, the importance of collaboration over competition, and how vulnerability can be a strength in business and life. Khalif breaks down how his ‘Life Be Lifing’ movement encourages people to embrace all aspects of themselves—positive, negative, and everything in between—and to challenge societal norms about masculinity, blackness, and success. You'll learn practical insights, including why taking time for self-care and honest reflection is crucial for mental health, how to turn adversity into opportunity, and why community and authenticity are your biggest assets. Khalif emphasizes that embracing your unique journey and confidently showing up as your true self unlocks extraordinary potential—not just in entrepreneurship but in daily living. If you’re tired of the hustle & struggle mentality and ready to live unapologetically, this episode is your essential guide. Khalif’s story proves that success isn’t just about goals—it's about embracing the entire ride, shedding societal expectations, and creating space for your true self. Perfect for entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone committed to personal growth, this conversation will inspire you to step into your power and start living life on your own terms. Khalif Lambert is a passionate entrepreneur, activist, and creator known for challenging societal norms and fostering community through authenticity and shared experiences. His work extends across multiple businesses, including his movement ‘Life Be Lifing,’ inspiring countless individuals to own their identity, heal, and thrive. Get ready to shift your perspective and start living your truth. Tune in now and discover how embracing every part of yourself can transform your life and your impact. Created by ‪@Riversidefm‬ ✨Socials✨: https://www.instagram.com/the_blckimpact/ https://www.instagram.com/shoppinattiffanys/ https://linktr.ee/theblackimpactpodcast?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAafrOHVA3D18ICTTW69N8Va9tibFml58PMqkYr7YXC9JRFJ4yp7Ed6nHJUHZJg_aem_hdYMf0EpQpgwp5OcjIXjmQ ✨Socials✨: 🎙️ Guest: Khalif Lambert Founder of Life*B*Life[ing] clothing brand https://www.instagram.com/iamkhalif?igsh=MWtsZG44MTJmZm5yYg== https://www.instagram.com/lifeblifeing?igsh=MTAwcDR0MjFmcmhkYg== Shop now https://lifeblifeing.com/?fbclid=PARlRTSARSZDxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAacGP8fWgBj-Un7pNsBMpETw10xyZjp1zIGDi8eAs6I9ipcbtDjtl1gY4xeqLQ_aem_CLtff1TmH_DUwlc-hCc5Iw Subscribe to The Blck Impact for more real conversations about healing, relationships, and breaking generational cycles in the Black community. #LifeBeLifing #AuthenticEntrepreneurship #HealingAndGrowth 📺 Streaming now on YouTube and all platforms.