So Ambitious

In this So Ambitious compilation, Black founders break down what it really takes to create opportunity when doors don’t open for you. This episode explores the internal mindset shifts required to overcome limiting beliefs, the reality of being judged in high-stakes rooms, and the discipline it takes to build systems that last. This is also a compilation blueprint for building access on your own terms. From rewriting internal belief systems to building institutions that outlast the founder, this episode breaks down how access is created from the inside out. This episode delivers real insight into how to build, scale, and sustain something meaningful. KEY POINTS 404: President of America’s Largest Black-Owned Bank Teri Williams on Ownership, Wealth and Legacy 402: Black Ambition Prize Founders on Transforming Real Problems Into Scalable Business 401: How Aisha Bowe Turns "Impossible" Goals Into Repeatable Millions 403: Body Language Secrets That Close Million Dollar Deals | Linda Clemons 405: Jeff Johnson on Building Big Ambition Without Losing Yourself 406: What Social Impact Leaders Know About Capital That Founders Don’t | Asha Walker & Valencia Gunder RESOURCES Aisha Bowe  IG | @aishabowe Linda Clemons IG | @lindaclemons Teri Williams  Jeff Johnson IG | @jeffsnation  Asha Walker - Health In The Hood  IG | @healthinthehood Valencia Gunder - The Smile Trust IG | @thesmiletrust        @valenciagunder Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

In this episode, Felecia Hatcher welcomes Asha Walker (Health In The Hood) and Valencia Gunder (The Smile Trust), who break down what it really means to build community, create impact, and redefine wealth from the ground up. From urban farming to feeding the unhoused, from climate justice to access to technology, these founders share how they turned lived experiences into scalable solutions that nourish communities physically, emotionally, and economically. They unpack the difference between charity and compassion, the reality of building in the nonprofit and social impact space, and what it takes to sustain purpose-driven work even when resources are limited. This conversation is a must-watch for founders, leaders, and changemakers who are ready to build beyond profit, serve with intention, and create impact that truly lasts. KEY POINTS - Real wealth includes health, community, trust, and people power  - The strongest solutions come from communities themselves - There is a critical difference between charity and true compassion - Social impact work still requires strong business models to survive - Purpose-driven founders often face burnout while trying to serve others - Building systems creates a lasting impact, not one-time solutions - Identity and purpose evolve as founders grow and expand their work - Serving others can unlock opportunities, resources, and long-term sustainability QUOTABLES   “Service is our natural state.” – Asha Walker  “I’m going to be a leader and not a boss.”  – Valencia Gunder  “When I think about wealth, I think about people power first.” – Valencia Gunder RESOURCES Asha Walker - Health In The Hood  IG | @healthinthehood Valencia Gunder - The Smile Trust IG | @thesmiletrust        @valenciagunder Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

In this episode of So Ambitious, Jeff Johnson breaks down what it really means to lead, build, and evolve as a founder, especially as a Black entrepreneur navigating identity, capital, and visibility. From building in media and activism to advising leaders across industries, Jeff shares hard truths about performance vs authenticity, founder identity, mental health, and the hidden cost of success. He challenges the way we think about capital, power, and growth, and introduces a bigger idea: building ecosystems instead of just companies. This conversation is for founders who are not just trying to win, but trying to build with integrity, lead with clarity, and create something that outlives them. KEY POINTS - Many founders are performing instead of truly showing up - Emotional suppression is the hidden cost of leadership - Success without identity clarity leads to burnout and disconnection - Founders must separate who they are from what they build - Building a personal board of directors is essential for growth - Capital is not just money; it is trust, relationships, and access - Black founders are often seen as assets (not as people in funding spaces) - The future is ecosystems that create lasting impact QUOTABLES  “I’m in a place where I’m allergic to bullshit.” – Jeff Johnson “A healthier man will always be a better CEO.” – Jeff Johnson “We have created a founder culture that is rooted in celebrity.” – Jeff Johnson “Our greatest ambition should not be how much we raise in this next round. It should be, are we free in our own heart[s].” – Jeff Johnson RESOURCES Jeff Johnson IG | @jeffsnation  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media

What does it take to build generational wealth when the system was never built for you? Today, Felecia Hatcher welcomes Teri Williams, Owner and President of OneUnited Bank, who shares how she helped build the largest Black-owned bank in the United States and what it really takes to create lasting financial impact. From acquiring struggling banks to losing $50 million in a single day and building it back stronger, Teri breaks down the mindset, resilience, and decision-making that define true leadership. She unpacks the importance of ownership, financial literacy, trusting your instincts, and building for community (not just profit). Plus, why the future of wealth includes AI, access, and rewriting the financial system for the next generation. This is a must-watch for founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders ready to build wealth that outlives them and impact that scales beyond them. KEY POINTS - Generational wealth starts with foundation  - Ownership is necessary for long-term security - The best founders trust their instincts even when others disagree - Problems are where opportunity lives - Failure is where the most valuable lessons are learned - Community impact should be at the center of every business  - Financial literacy is the missing link in building real wealth - AI is the next frontier, and founders who embrace it early will win QUOTABLES  “What you do at that moment, the defining moment, is the defining moment.” – Teri Williams “If I have to choose between fight or flight, I’m going to fight.” – Teri Williams “Ownership has become a necessity for our community.” – Teri Williams RESOURCES  Teri Williams  Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media 

What if your body is speaking louder than your words… and costing you deals, influence, and opportunities? For today’s episode of So Ambitious, global body language expert and sales strategist Linda Clemons joins Felecia Hatcher to unravel how founders can master nonverbal communication, presence, and emotional intelligence to win in business, leadership, and life. From decoding micro-expressions to building instant rapport, Linda shares the real reason most pitches fail and how to fix it before you ever say a word. She reveals why 93% of communication is nonverbal, how to read a room in seconds, and the subtle signals that tell you when a deal is falling apart. This is a masterclass for founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders who want to command rooms, close deals, and build trust faster in high-stakes environments. If you are pitching investors, building relationships, or stepping into bigger rooms, this episode will change how you show up forever. KEY POINTS - Your presence speaks before you do -  93% of communication is nonverbal; your body can either support or sabotage your message - Founders lose deals because of misaligned energy & delivery - Confidence is not what you say, it is what your body communicates consistently -  The best sales strategy is listening deeper and reading better - Investors and partners respond to emotion first (and logic second) - Rapport is built before the pitch… not during it -  Micro-expressions and body shifts reveal the truth  QUOTABLES  “Your nonverbal communication is your first language.” – Linda Clemons “The moment that you walk in the room, your presence speaks volumes.” – Linda Clemons “Our words are 7% of our communication… 93% is your tone and your nonverbal.” – Linda Clemons “The fake will fade, because who you are will eventually show up.” – Linda Clemons RESOURCES  Linda Clemons IG | @lindaclemons Felecia Hatcher IG | @feleciahatcher Black Ambition IG | @blackambitionprize So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media