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At the Be a Ball Podcast Live Event Join us as we uncover the paths of two innovative creatives, Christian Johnson and Caden Gadjigo who have turned their passions into thriving entrepreneurial ventures. Christian reveals her evolution from crafting greeting cards to becoming a business co-founder of ABC Black Iconic Figures, driven by a thirst for autonomy and a deep commitment to education. Meanwhile, Columbus Northland high school senior Caden shares how a simple sketch set him on a journey to fashion entrepreneurship and creation of his Creatively Guided Attire clothing brand . Together, they offer a wealth of insight and inspiration for anyone on a similar entrepreneurial quest.

In this engaging episode, we also discover how Christian's initiative, ABC Black Iconic Figures, born from the challenges of 2020, aims to empower black and brown students through representation and diverse role models. We explore the vital role of business connections and mentorship in shaping careers, as Christian and Caden recount their experiences with organizations like MBK and Columbus Fashion Alliance. Through their stories, listeners will find valuable lessons on the importance of authenticity, hard work, and perseverance in building a lasting legacy in the creative design world.

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Send us a comment about the Be a Baller Podcast Episode. Thanks for support.

Gene Smith, a Division I athletic director for nearly 40 years was a trailblazer for Black college administrators. In 1986 when he earned his first athletic director job, he was one of two Black Division I-A athletic directors. Through his diversity and inclusion efforts, Smith has played a big role in administrators from underrepresented groups earning athletic director jobs themselves.

Gene Smith’s true legacy can be seen in his diverse pipeline around the country including, Patrick Chun became the first Asian American AD at a Power 5 school when Washington State hired him in 2018; Martin Jarmond spent three years as Boston College’s AD before heading to UCLA in 2020. BenJay spent a stint as Hawaii’s AD for two years and is now the CFO for the Big West Conference; Heather Lyke was hired as Pittsburgh’s AD in 2017, Diana Sabau hired as Utah State’s next AD and TJ Shelton was hired as Case Western Reserve’s AD in 2022.

Gene Smith a true door opener for Black College Administrators at the Power 5 Level and throughout all of college athletics.

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Kristen Jones Miller's entrepreneurial journey is both inspiring and transformative. Driven by a personal frustration with the lack of suitable nude lip colors for darker skin tones, Kristen co-founded Minted Cosmetics with Amanda Johnson, turning a light bulb moment into a multi-million dollar success. Their story is a testament to the power of creativity and resilience, as well as the vital role of community support. Kristen shares how her faith and the encouragement from Second Baptist Church empowered her to pursue her dreams. This episode is a must-listen for anyone keen to understand the intersection of entrepreneurship and legacy-building, especially in the context of addressing the needs of underrepresented communities.

We also tackle the challenging landscape Black founders face in securing venture capital, with Kristen detailing her journey and the strategies she employed to overcome these odds. After pitching to 70-80 investors before receiving an initial $50,000 investment, Kristen emphasizes the importance of persistence, market demand, and mentorship. She also highlights the influence mentors like Coach Tim Brown and others have had on her journey. Transitioning into her role as a full-time professor at The Ohio State University, Kristen explores her passion for teaching and her unique philosophy, prioritizing class participation and critical thinking over traditional exams, offering invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs setting out to create their vision for the future.

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