Uncovered Legacy

Valarie's roots run deep in Oxford, North Carolina, where both her parents were born and raised. Her parents were young, hip visionaries who decided to leave everything they knew in the South and move north during the 1950s migration. Her maternal grandparents moved to Jersey first, setting the groundwork, and her parents followed, settling in Harlem before eventually moving to the Bronx where Valarie was born in the 1960s. After two years in the Bronx, the family moved to Queens, where Valarie and her sister grew up in a close-knit community that was 99% Black, full of families who looked out for each other. Her parents were party people who loved to throw barbecues and decorate the house for every holiday, especially Christmas. Valarie remembers walking to school with neighborhood kids, taking the bus by herself, and learning to be street savvy in a city that required you to take care of yourself. In this episode, Valarie shares how her parents enrolled her and her sister in dance classes, even though times were tight they worked hard and Dance became everything. She trained in ballet, tap, and jazz, dreaming of performing on Broadway. At just 16 years old, Valarie got her first professional job on Broadway in The Wiz, and from there, the opportunities kept coming. She worked with legends like Bob Fosse and became part of a world where she was surrounded by greatness. Valarie talks about the importance of being teachable, staying humble, and never forgetting where you came from. She reflects on playing Chippy Charlotte on The Family Business, a role that allows her to channel the strength of the women in her family who are loving caretakers but also bad asses you don't want to cross. Valarie's story shows why legacy matters and why staying grounded is everything. She's grateful for her ancestors, her parents' vision, and the community that raised her. Now she's focused on creating projects where she can hire people, give dancers and artists opportunities, and make work that brings joy to millions. She wants to be the helping hand, to remind others to never give up, never give in, and keep going. Tune in as we witness how one woman turned her parents' sacrifice, her own talent, and a lifetime of hard work into a career that spans Broadway, television, and film. Connect with Valarie Pettiford Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ValariePettiford/ Connect with Curtis: Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088 More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast: The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember. Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message

Layne Eskridge grew up in Shakers Height, Ohio attending an all-girls private school, from preschool through 12th grade. She learned to navigate spaces where she was often the only one who looked like her. She didn't realize how much that shaped her until she moved to Los Angeles. Growing up as an only child with parents who met at The Ohio State University, Layne learned early on the power of independence, imagination, and community. In this episode, Layne shares what it was like starting at the bottom in LA, working as an assistant for five years while her father paid her bills so she could focus on becoming excellent at her job. She moved through roles at NBC, Ellen DeGeneres Production and eventually Netflix where she worked on Ozark. She then went on to help launch Apple TV+., but she wanted to make hits that required being intentional about the stories she helped create. That's when everything shifted. Layne calls herself a product of people saying her name in rooms she wasn't in. A phone call from colleagues offering her own production company changed everything, and POV (Point of View) was born. Layne’s story shows why keeping good people around you is everything. She didn't have one specific mentor, she had a village. From her parents to sorority sisters, to colleagues, Layne built her career on relationships, curiosity, and never taking anything for granted. Now she produces television and films for streaming platforms, working with writers, directors, and content creators to bring stories to life. With projects like Southern Bastards for Hulu and a first-look deal back at Netflix, Layne is building a slate on her own terms. Tune in as we witness how one woman turned isolation into independence, rejection into resilience, and belief into a thriving production company that honors her POINT OF VIEW. Connect with Layne Eskridge LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layne-eskridge-a2b319121 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poventertainment/ Connect with Curtis: Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088 More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast: The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember. Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message

Carl Weber’s story begins between worlds. Born in Jamaica and raised in Queens and Long Island, his early years were marked by constant shifts between cultures, expectations, and environments. Growing up, he often found himself navigating the tension of being the “smart kid” in the room while also facing the realities of racism and identity. Everything began to change when he discovered sports. Football, swimming, and track gave him a sense of direction and discipline, eventually leading him to Virginia State University where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,Inc a brotherhood that would become one of the defining chapters of his life. In this conversation, Carl reflects on the moments that shaped him long before success ever entered the picture. From competing alongside athletes who would later become Olympic gold medalists to finding purpose through mentorship and education, he shares how the lessons learned on the field and in the classroom carried into every stage of his journey. Even unexpected experiences, including working inside Rikers Island, expanded his understanding of leadership, humility, and the power of meeting people where they are. Carl’s story is a reminder that the path to purpose is rarely linear. The setbacks, detours, and conversations along the way often become the very things that prepare us for what comes next. Through sports, service, and storytelling, Carl shows how every chapter of life has something to teach us, especially when we are willing to stay curious, keep learning, and turn over the rocks that might reveal new opportunities. Connect with Carl Weber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcarlweber/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamCarlWeber/ Connect with Curtis: Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088 More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast: The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember. Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message

Trey's story begins in Arlington, Texas, an only child raised by parents who were high school sweethearts. His father became a criminal defense attorney, his mother worked in sales, and Trey grew up with deep Texas roots and big dreams. He attended Lamar High School, played the trombone, taught himself keyboards, and knew early on that entertainment was his calling. When it came time for college, Morehouse felt like destiny. He had the stickers on his car, the shirts, the vision. But Morehouse was the one school that rejected him. Frustrated, he tried Southern University, then DeVry in Atlanta, and eventually landed at the University of North Texas studying radio, television, and film. But one year before graduation, Trey made a bold decision. He left college and drove to Los Angeles with his father, a U-Haul truck, and $700. In this episode, Trey shares what it was like navigating LA with a nine-to-five job he hated, missing work to chase opportunities on set, and finally getting fired after totaling his car. He was doing background work, trying to stay connected, when everything shifted at craft service on a music video set. A conversation with director Darren Grant about breaking into the industry led to mentorship, connections, and Trey never working outside the entertainment industry again. Four months into LA, he met his future business partner Andi Brown at a networking event in Leimert Park, and together they built Tri Destined, a faith-based production company rooted in the belief that you create your own destiny through action. With the financial backing of Andi's parents who believed in their vision, they started making films, grinding through editing gigs, background work, and small projects until the consistency paid off. Trey's story shows why success is not a key, it is a combination. You have to unlock the right mix of faith, hustle, relationships, and timing. From their first film Room for Seven made for $25,000 to The Man in 3B with Carl Weber, which marked their theatrical breakthrough, Tri Destined never stopped working. Now, with six seasons of The Family Business on BET and spinoffs like Family Business: New Orleans and The Black Hamptons, Trey reminds us that sometimes detours are divine interventions. Tune in as we witness how one man turned a car accident, a chance conversation at craft service, and unwavering faith into a production company that creates jobs, tells Black stories, and builds a legacy rooted in purpose. Connect with Trey Haley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treyhaleytds/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/treyhaleytds/ Website: https://tridestined.com/ Connect with Curtis: Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088 More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast: The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember. Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message

Kevin loves Stockton, California, but deep in his heart he knew he had to leave if he wanted more. Raised in a middle-class home until his parents divorced when he was eight, Kevin watched friends get pulled into gang life while his mother made sure he had a different path. Through Jack and Jill, an organization for African American families, Kevin was exposed to HBCUs, life beyond Stockton, and the possibility of something greater. When Morehouse College offered him a full ride scholarship, his mother made the decision clear. You go where the money is. So Kevin packed his bags and headed nearly 3,000 miles across the country to Atlanta. In this episode, Kevin shares how he lost that scholarship after his freshman year due to the distractions of Atlanta, but fought his way through with loans and small scholarships to graduate in four years with a degree in English. He moved to Los Angeles with nothing but a dream, crashing on couches and working odd jobs so he could audition. Then came reality TV. Kevin landed a spot on VH1's I Love New York, catapulting him into a world where strangers treated him like royalty one minute and he returned to eating ramen in a studio apartment the next. He speaks candidly about the psychological toll of celebrity life without the money, power, or connections, and how he stayed grounded through it all. But after 11 years in LA, the passion dried up, the joy disappeared, and Kevin made the hardest decision of his life. He reinvented himself, teaching himself broadcast journalism and landing his first job in Little Rock, Arkansas. Kevin's story shows why it is never too late to start a new chapter. From Arkansas to Tyler, Texas, to Sacramento, California, he worked his way up through small markets, eventually becoming the lead sportscaster at ABC 10. Along the way, he faced severe depression and suicidal thoughts, battles he kept hidden behind a smile until he chose to share his story during Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. Kevin reminds us that vulnerability is not weakness, that acknowledging pain is strength, and that reinvention is always possible. Tune in as we witness how one man turned his mess into his message, choosing service over fame and purpose over applause. Connect with Kevin John Peters Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heykevinjohn Connect with Curtis: Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088 More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast: The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember. Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message