S2:E01 - Stephen & Jelani

S2:E01 - Stephen & Jelani

In the Season 2 premiere of the Pitch Black Podcast, hosts Stephen Green and Jelani Memory reflect on a powerful year of growth, experimentation, and community impact across 2025—and set the tone for what’s ahead in 2026. They unpack the momentum behind Pitch Black events like Pitch Black Food and the Pitch Black Showcase, highlighting how trust, collaboration, and showing up consistently have become the foundation of the movement. Against the backdrop of a shifting cultural and economic landscape in Portland, the conversation centers on resiliency—what it really takes to keep building when conditions are uncertain. Stephen and Jelani also share how Pitch Black is evolving: fewer but deeper partnerships, more intentional programming, and an even sharper focus on supporting Black founders through every stage of their journey. The episode closes with a look forward to new collaborations, guests, and initiatives shaping the future of Pitch Black. Chapters 00:00 – Recap of 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026 08:13 – Building Resiliency and Trust in Community 18:44 – The Future of Portland and Community Engagement 25:46 – Exciting Guests and Future Collaborations

S1:E15 - Precious Hannah-King

In this episode of the Pitch Black Podcast, Stephen Green sits down with designer and entrepreneur Precious Hannah-King (she/her), founder of Mister OK’s Essentials. From a childhood love of art and sneakers in Miami to designing at Nike and launching her own scent-based wellness brand, Precious walks us through her deeply personal and creative journey. They discuss how mentorship, courage, and taking risks played pivotal roles in her path—from being part of the very first class at Pensole to her leap into retail entrepreneurship. Precious shares how candles became her medium for healing and memory, and how Pitch Black helped her build a one-of-a-kind immersive scent experience that’s rooted in identity, storytelling, and community. 📌 Topics Covered * Growing up in Miami & falling in love with design * The sneaker culture pipeline from Miami to Portland * Being in the first Pensole class and the power of mentorship * Breaking into Nike and navigating corporate life * Creating Mister OK’s Essentials while raising a newborn * The origin of her first candle drop at Nike’s 5 to 5 * Why scent is memory—and her dream for immersive retail * What it means to leave the “dream job” for a new dream * Building with community and finding your voice as a founder 🔗 More from this episode * Precious Hannah-King on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/precioushannah/] * Mister OK’s Essentials [https://www.misteroksessentials.com] * Pitch Black [https://www.pitchblack.org/]

S1:E14 - Karina LeBlanc

In this powerful episode, Olympic medalist, UNICEF ambassador, and executive trailblazer Karina LeBlanc joins Stephen Green for a heart-opening conversation about resilience, purpose, leadership, and living out loud. From her childhood in Dominica and early struggles with identity in Canada, to her rise as a world-class goalkeeper and her current role reshaping women's sports in Portland, Karina shares how sport helped her find her voice—and how she’s using it to build a legacy far beyond the pitch. She talks candidly about failure, motherhood, her near-death experience during COVID, and why Portland is the global epicenter of women’s sports. This one’s for anyone seeking purpose, clarity, and impact in their life and work. “Live a life where you feel alive. Love without expectation. And matter in a way that is ruthlessly, unapologetically you.” — Karina LeBlanc * Olympic Bronze Medalist (Team Canada, 2012) * Former Portland Thorns goalkeeper * UNICEF Canada Ambassador * EVP, Strategic Development & Growth at RAJ Sports * Trailblazer in women’s sports and equity 🔗 Follow Karina: * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/karinaleblanc] The Pitch Black Podcast is produced by Vanport Studio and hosted by Stephen Green, with executive production from Jelani Memory. We celebrate Black excellence in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. Learn more at pitchblack.org [https://pitchblack.org/].

S1:E13 - Pamela Neferkara

In this episode of the Pitch Black Podcast, Stephen Green interviews Pamela Neferkara, a trailblazer in corporate leadership and founder of Elmira Street Associates. They discuss Pamela's journey from being the first black female vice president at a major footwear company to her current role as an advisor and investor. The conversation covers themes of diversity in leadership, the importance of setting career goals, work-life balance, and empowering women in the workplace. Pamela shares her insights on board service, the significance of personal history, and the excitement surrounding the next generation of black leaders. Takeaways Pamela Neferkara is a pioneer in corporate leadership. Setting clear career goals is essential for success. Work-life balance is a personal choice that requires intention. Empowering women in the workplace is crucial for progress. Diversity on boards enhances company performance. Investing in startups is about supporting dreams. Understanding personal history shapes perspective and values. Young people today embrace diversity and question norms. The importance of mentorship and networking in career growth. Planning for financial independence is key to making life transitions. Chapters 00:00 From Corporate to Creative: Pamela's Journey 13:08 Empowering Women: The Wing Women Initiative 20:43 Investing in Dreams: Pamela's Approach to Angel Investing

S1:E12 - Bimma Williams

In this episode of the Pitch Black Podcast, host Stephen Green sits down with Bimma Williams—veteran of the sneaker industry, founder, and storyteller—to talk about his journey from Baton Rouge to working with iconic brands like Adidas and Nike. Bimma shares how community has shaped his path, the transformation of sneaker culture in the digital age, and why authenticity is non-negotiable in business. They dive into what it means to claim your space in the culture, the evolution of storytelling in marketing, and the responsibilities that come with visibility. From building a platform through podcasting to the power of collaborations grounded in values, Bimma shares hard-won insights about creating impact while staying rooted in who you are. 💡 Key Takeaways: * Bimma Williams’ path from Baton Rouge to the global sneaker industry * Community is the foundation of both personal and professional growth * Sneaker culture continues to evolve through digital and cultural shifts * Creating meaningful, human-centered experiences matters more than ever * Podcasting became Bimma’s platform for authenticity and connection * Emotional resonance and real stories attract the best collaborations * Culture is not dictated—it's created and carried by the community * Authenticity is a strategy, not a vibe—especially in business * Navigating public perception requires care and clarity of purpose * Diversity in leadership drives innovation, impact, and longevity * Storytelling should lead product development in brand partnerships * Human connection outweighs metrics when building brand loyalty Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to the Pitch Black Podcast 03:01 – Bimma Williams: Journey from Baton Rouge to the Sneaker Industry 05:53 – The Importance of Community in Personal Growth 08:47 – The Evolution of Sneaker Culture and Community Engagement 12:08 – Creating Meaningful Experiences in a Digital World 15:00 – Lessons from Podcasting: Building a Platform 17:46 – Claiming Your Space in the Culture 21:07 – Navigating Challenges in the Sneaker Community 24:21 – Navigating Public Perception and Responsibility 30:25 – The Importance of Authenticity in Business 32:52 – Creating Impact Through Community Engagement 39:35 – The Evolution of Sneaker Culture and Storytelling 46:50 – Diversity in Leadership and Its Impact on Business 48:45 – Future Collaborations and Content Creation