Rise Urban Nation

08/27/2026

Who deserves a second chance?

It’s simple to ask—until we start talking about the people society has already written off.

In the latest episode of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, I spoke with Keith Wattley: attorney, Obama Foundation Fellow, and Founder & Executive Director of UnCommon Law.

For more than 25 years, Keith has fought for people behind bars and those navigating parole, including many serving life sentences.

Our discussion pushed us to move past labels and wrestle with questions about justice, accountability, trauma, healing, and redemption.

We dug into:

⚖️ What trauma-informed justice really means
🧠 How accountability and healing can co-exist
🔓 Ways people show genuine change after incarceration
🤝 Building safe, realistic pathways for reentry
❤️ Why honoring someone’s humanity doesn’t erase the harm they caused
📖 How storytelling reshapes how we see incarceration and the possibility of redemption

One thing this conversation reaffirmed for me:

A person’s worst choice doesn’t have to be the final chapter of their life.

Second chances aren’t about denying harm. They’re about asking whether accountability can also allow space for growth, repair, transformation, and hope.

If you work in criminal justice, reentry, law, policy, equity, community development—or simply believe people can change—there’s a lot here to reflect on.

🎧 Listen: Who Deserves a Second Chance? Keith Wattley on Justice, Healing & Defending the People Society Gives Up On.

Then come back and join the conversation:

Do you think everyone should have the chance for a second chance? Why or why not?

08/13/2026

Your story matters — and someone out there might need to hear it.

One of the clearest takeaways from my talk with filmmaker Dontavious Shuler was a renewed appreciation for both the power and the duty of storytelling.

We all carry experiences that shape who we are.

The real question is: what will we do with them?

In Season 6, Episode 12 of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, Dontavious opens up about how some of his hardest moments—grief, isolation, money struggles, and the search for self—became the foundation of his work as a filmmaker.

Through faith, journaling, community, and creative practice, he learned to turn those moments into narratives that can support others in their healing.

That path led to Dontavious Shuler Studios and his film Echoes, which examines the ripple effects of unresolved trauma.

As an Emmy-winning Director of Photography, Dontavious also pushed me to rethink what it means to tell stories.

Storytelling goes beyond entertainment.
It preserves history.
It builds empathy.
It confronts damaging stereotypes.
It helps people feel recognized.
And often, it aids healing.

I took a lot away from this conversation, and it reminded me of a core belief at RISE Urban Nation:

YOUR STORY MATTERS.

Don't minimize the hardships you've endured, the lessons you've learned, or the insights you've gathered. Your experience could be the guide someone else needs.

Check out Season 6, Episode 12: Faith, Film & Responsibility: Dontavious Shuler on Storytelling That Heals.

Listen to the full conversation here:
https://riseurbannation.simplecast.com/episodes/dontavious

After you listen, I’d love to hear: what story are you carrying that deserves to be told?

In this powerful episode of RISE Urban Nation, Taryell Simmons sits down with filmmaker and director Dontavious Shuler to explore how faith, loss, and self-discovery shaped his journey into filmmaking. From launching Dontavious Shuler Studios to producing his debut film Echoes, Dontavious shares how...

08/13/2026

A few weeks after we released this episode, folks are still buzzing about it. 🔥

If you haven’t listened to our chat with Teri Thompson yet, consider this your nudge to tune in.

In Season 6, Episode 11 of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, we dug into something that can change a child’s life path:

Radical self-love.

With more than 30 years inside the justice system, Teri has witnessed up close what happens when young people grow up without affirmation, representation, resources, and early support.

So she’s taking action.

Through Justice Redefined, The Adventures of Kai book series, and programs like IMAGINE ME and G.L.O. (Grow, Lead, Overcome), Teri empowers Black youth with confidence, literacy, leadership, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose.

In our conversation we covered:

🔥 Why building self-esteem early is essential
📚 How seeing yourself in books transforms development
🧠 Mental wellness and resilience strategies for Black children
👑 Guiding young people to value themselves before others define them
🌱 How education and leadership create lasting, generational change

This episode is a must-listen for parents, teachers, mentors, nonprofit leaders, and anyone invested in the future of Black children.

🎧 Catch Season 6, Episode 11: Radical Self Love: Empowering Black Youth for Success with Teri Thompson.

👉 https://riseurbannation.simplecast.com/episodes/s6-ep-teri-thompson

In this powerful episode of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, host Taryell Simmons sits down with Teri Thompson—federal criminal defense attorney, author, and founder of Justice Redefined to explore the transformative power of radical self-love in shaping the future of Black youth. Drawing from over ...

07/14/2026

✨ The most successful businesses solve real problems.

Before she launched a multi-million-dollar beauty brand, Melody Shari was just a busy mom searching for products that actually worked for women on the go.

She fixed her own problem—and turned it into a thriving business. 💥

In this episode of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, we explore:
💄 Building a genuine brand
🚀 Growing a business with purpose
🤝 Cultivating a loyal community, not just customers
✨ Turning passion into lasting impact

If you're an entrepreneur, creator, or dreamer, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Tap the link in our bio to watch the full episode or listen wherever you get podcasts!

💬 What’s one problem you’ve faced that could become your next business idea?

07/08/2026

What if the know-how you’ve been handing out for free is actually your next income stream?

Too many founders chase the next shiny opportunity and miss the value sitting in their own experience. On Season 6, Episode 10 of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, I chatted with Dr. Stevii Aisha Mills—visibility strategist, entrepreneur, and author—about a mindset shift every entrepreneur needs: your experience matters, and it should be compensated.

In our conversation, Stevii lays out concrete ways to turn what you already know into revenue:
- Transform your expertise into coaching, courses, workshops, and digital products.
- Build visibility that attracts genuine opportunities.
- Package your knowledge into scalable income models.
- Claim your story and step into the expert role you already occupy.

One line that stuck with me: you don’t need another certificate to make an impact—you need the confidence to see the value in what you’ve already learned.

If you’re a founder, consultant, coach, nonprofit leader, or professional exploring new income streams, this episode is full of practical takeaways.

Listen to Season 6, Episode 10: “Your Experience Pays.”

I’d love to hear from you: what’s one skill or life experience you’ve gained that could be turned into an income opportunity? If this resonates, share it with someone who’s sitting on valuable knowledge they haven’t monetized yet.

06/25/2026

🔥 Setbacks don’t define you—they get you ready. 🔥

If you didn’t catch last month’s episode, now’s the perfect time to listen.

On the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, we sat down with Phillip Hogan — CEO, cancer survivor, entrepreneur, and author of Relentless Excellence.

We cover:
💥 Turning hardship into an advantage
🚀 Building marketing that fosters genuine connection
💡 Leading with resilience when life gets rough
🔥 What it truly means to pursue relentless excellence

Phillip’s journey proves that your toughest trials can become the foundation for your greatest influence.

🎧 Tap the link in our bio to watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast app.

💬 What’s one challenge that made you stronger?

06/10/2026

✨ NEW EPISODE LIVE ✨

What happens when you put purpose before profit?

On the latest RISE Urban Nation Podcast, I chatted with my brother, entrepreneur, and Meraki Allure founder Mo Cisse about creating a brand grounded in values, sustainability, and meaningful impact.

While the fashion world chases fast trends, Mo chose a different route:

🌱 Ethical production
🌱 Made-to-order pieces
🌱 Environmental accountability
🌱 Quality over quantity
🌱 Crafting a legacy that endures

This episode is a reminder that success can align with your principles.

🎙️ Season 6, Episode 9:
Purpose Over Profit: Mo Cisse on Building a Sustainable Fashion Legacy

https://buff.ly/DWmVCQP

Plus — big celebration! 🎉

MERAKI ALLURE turns 10 this Saturday, June 13th, with a fashion show in Downtown San Diego at 800 Broadway.

A decade of impact, a decade of purpose, a decade proving business can do good.

If you’re in San Diego, join us to celebrate Mo and connect with an inspiring community of leaders and changemakers. ❤️

More info: MerakiAllure.com

Congrats, Mo — thank you for leading with purpose and inspiring others to build businesses that matter.

🎧 Full episode available now. Link in bio.

05/15/2026

We’ve been sharing clips all week because Anya Owensbrown has been dropping GEM after GEM 💎🔥

From raising Black boys with intention…
to building villages rooted in love, healing, and belonging…
this conversation on the RISE Urban Nation Podcast is powerful, necessary, and deeply moving.

If you haven’t tuned into the FULL episode yet, now’s the time. 🎧

Anya shares how fear became a movement through OUR KINGS—a nonprofit dedicated to protecting Black boy joy, supporting families, and reminding our young Kings who they truly are:

👑 Kind
👑 Intelligent
👑 Noble
👑 Gifted Sons of Queens and Kings

This episode is about legacy, healing, community, and what it truly means to raise and protect our Kings.

🎥 Watch the full episode now on YouTube
👉 Link in Instagram bio

05/01/2026

Focus on honing your craft deeply before seeking validation or institutional support.

04/29/2026

📚🔥 Education doesn’t need a classroom—it needs a platform.

In this episode of the RISE Urban Nation Podcast, we sit down with R. Preston Clark—author of Black Bliss Volume 1 and founder of Club FBS—who’s redefining mentorship, storytelling, and impact.

He didn’t wait for permission… he built his own lane.

We get into:
🔥 Owning your narrative
📚 Using books + media to educate beyond institutions
🤝 Mentorship that actually changes lives
🎙 Turning your voice into impact

Truth is:
➡️ If you don’t tell your story, someone else will
➡️ If you don’t build it, you’ll keep waiting

🎧 Tap the link in bio to listen now

💬 What platform are YOU building to shape the next generation?