Friendslikeus

 This Friends Like Us, Marina Franklin and Hollie Harper chat with the incredible Sumer Strawbree, a 15-year-old CEO inspiring young girls with her empowering coloring books and confidence-building affirmations!  Sumer Strawbree, is a 15 year old speaker, author and affirmations authority. She helps girls unleash the power of positive "I Am" affirmations to improve their confidence and mental health. "I Am"...two words that speak directly to your subconscious mind. Between 8 and 14, girls’ confidence levels drop by 30%. As Seen on, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, at LA Comic Con & More... After she was bullied at school, this young CEO has independently sold over 10,000 worldwide copies of her Affirmations Coloring Books through her publishing company that features positive images of Black and Brown girls equating to 10,000 girls inspired. She teaches girls how to unlock their subconscious mindsets to bring out the SUPERHERO that is already inside of them, through her I Am Confident University™ Affirmations and Visio

Discover the magic of community-driven cat rescue in our latest Friends Like Us episode. Join host Marina Franklin, Becky Wisdom from Green Point Cats, and comedian Subhah Agarwal as they chat about cat colonies, TNR, and the urgency to help communities in the over populations of cats.  Becky Wisdom is the founder of Greenpoint Cats, a leading Brooklyn-based animal rescue organization focused on TNR (trap, neuter, return). Her journey into rescue began in 2018 when she moved to Greenpoint and found herself living on a block with a crew of unforgettable feline neighbors—an encounter that inspired her to take action. What started as an effort to help a few street cats quickly became a full-time calling. By 2020, Becky had left her career in marketing to devote herself entirely to rescue work. Her grassroots efforts sparked a growing community of animal advocates in Greenpoint and beyond, building a network of support and care for some of the city’s most vulnerable animals. Her passion for rescue is deeply roote

Dive into Friends Like Us as host Marina Franklin talks with veteran comedians Ralph Harris, Keith Robinson, and Charles Walden. They share stories, laughs, and insights on what keeps them thriving in the industry.  Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd; and the co-host of The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox), His first hour special; 2014’s Kevin Hart Presents: Back of the Bus Funny can still be streamed on Amazon Prime, Peacock and Tubi. Keith has been featured in films such as Trainwreck and King of Staten Island. After two strokes, and an extended hospital stay, during COVID, Keith marched right back to the stage to create his latest and most personal work yet, Different Strokes; his second hour special, picked up and to be released in 2024 by Netflix. Keith is currently working on several projects, including, feature films, tele

Marina Franklin host comedy giants on Friends Like Us! Tune in as Ralph Harris, Charles Walden, and Keith Robinson share stories about their journey, friendship, and the comedic landscape today. It's a laughter-packed episode with comedy legends! Keith Robinson: Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Keith Robinson, is considered a comic’s comic. He has captivated audiences around the world with his straightforward humor. He was a regular on Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd; and the co-host of The Wanda Sykes Show (Fox), His first hour special; 2014’s Kevin Hart Presents: Back of the Bus Funny can still be streamed on Amazon Prime, Peacock and Tubi. Keith has been featured in films such as Trainwreck and King of Staten Island. After two strokes, and an extended hospital stay, during COVID, Keith marched right back to the stage to create his latest and most personal work yet, Different Strokes; his second hour special, picked up and to be released in 2024 by Netflix. Keith is currently working on several projects,

Marina Franklin talks with guest Professor Marlene Daut and Nonye Brown-West. They dive into the incredible history of Haiti with Dr. Marlene Daut on the latest episode of Friends Like Us. Discover the power of education and representation in shaping our narratives.  Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her schedule on nonyecomedy.com or Instagram to see when she's coming to a city near you. Marlene L. Daut is an author, scholar, editor, and professor. Her books include Tropics of Haiti: Race and the Literary History of the Haitian Revolution in the Atlantic World (Liverpool UP, 2015); Baron de Vastey and the Origins of Black Atlantic Humanism (Palgrave, 2017); Awakening the Ashes: An Intellectual History of the Haitian Revolution (UNC Press, 2023); and The First and Last Kin

Dive into an inspiring episode, as host Marina Franklin talks with Mayor Randall Woodfin and Roy Wood Jr. on Friends Like Us! From community empowerment to leadership and Randall Woodfin's new memoir, "Sons of Birmingham,". Hear how these sons of Birmingham are making waves.  Randall Woodfin was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and after four years in Atlanta earning his degree from Morehouse College, has lived in Birmingham ever since. He worked at City Hall (in jobs for both the Mayor and the City Council) and for the Jefferson County Committee on Economic Opportunity, attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and, after obtaining his law degree, accepted a job in the City of Birmingham Law Department. As an assistant city attorney, he also became an organizer, working on campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. After serving on the Birmingham Board of Education, he ran for mayor in 2016 with endorsements from President Joe Biden, Senators Bernie Sanders and Cory Booker, and Stacey Abrams

You don't have to be perfect to find true love! Join host Marina Franklin as she and funny friend Von Decarlo dives in to finding true love with dating coach Francesca Hogi in our latest episode. Learn how self-love and authenticity lead the way to meaningful connections.  Francesca Hogi is a coach, speaker, and writer. She teaches people how to truly love themselves and find true love. She's the founder of The True Love Society membership community and the host of the podcast Dear Franny.  And her first book, How to Find True Love: Unlock Your Romantic Flow and Create Lasting Relationships is available for Preorder by April 7th . Von Decarlo is a New York-bred stand-up comedian, producer, writer, and actress who has appeared in worldwide ad campaigns and national commercials for Disney, GNC, Match, and Carnival Cruise lines. She performed in Montreal for Kevin Hart's LOL Network as well as the Lil' Rel and Friends show at the Just For Laughs comedy festival, and most recently in Australia for the Human Kind

Marina Franklin talks with the first African American Rockette, Jennifer Jones and comedian Jenny Saldana. Jennifer Jones  shares her journey from a child to the first African American Rockette. Discover her inspiring story in 'Becoming Spectacular: The Rhythm of Resilience.'" #RockettesAnniversary #DreamBig Meet Jennifer Jones, who has her new memoir: Becoming Spectacular :The Rhythm of Resilience from the First African American Rockette. Jennifer Jones is the pioneering first African American Radio City Music Hall Rockette! With her exceptional skills and infectious passion for dance, Jennifer has not only mesmerized audiences but also played a pivotal role in reshaping the performing arts landscape. Through grace and artistry, she has shattered barriers and championed diversity in what was once a monolithic industry. Jennifer made her groundbreaking debut as a Rockette during Super Bowl XXII’s halftime show, showcasing unparalleled talent, precision, and poise that left spectators in awe. Her stellar perfo

On this Friends Like Us for Women's Month: Marina Franklin talks with Calise Hawkins and Mia Jackson, breaking down the impact of boycotts, the necessity of taking breaks, and sharing laughs with incredible women.  Mia Jackson is a bonafide Georgia peach (that's Georgian for “native”). In 2017, she was selected as a New Face by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and Atlanta's Creative Loafing named her the Critic's Choice Best Stand-Up in the city. She has toured nationally with Amy Schumer and is a featured comic at festivals and clubs across the country. Her first stand up special aired in October 2018 as part of Unprotected Sets on EPIX. Mia has appeared on NickMom's Night Out, Viceland, Comedy Central's This Week at the Comedy Cellar and was a semi-finalist on Season 9 of NBC's Last Comic Standing. Her Comedy Central half hour special debuted in November 2019. Calise Hawkins is a stand-up comedian and writer. She has performed her standup on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon , Nick Mom’s Night Out and she was

Join Marina Franklin, Dr. Brittany Friedman, and Akeem Woods in an eye-opening discussion on Dr. Friedman's new book: "Carceral Apartheid. How Lies and White Supremacists Run Our Prisons." Learn about the systemic issues within America's prisons and how history repeats itself without intervention. Dr. Brittany Friedman is recognized as an innovative thinker on how people and institutions hide harmful truths. Her current work examines this in the realm of social control, and the underside of government such as prisons, courts, and treasuries. New ongoing work is examining this within interpersonal relations. She is the author of CARCERAL APARTHEID: HOW LIES AND WHITE SUPREMACISTS RUN OUR PRISONS. Friedman has written for outlets such as TIME, The Washington Post, and The Conversation, and is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Southern California, co-founder of the Captive Money Lab, and an Affiliated Scholar of the American Bar Foundation. Akeem Woods is the funny little brother you alway

From laughter to resilience: Joanna Briley and Nonye Brown-West join host Marina Franklin to highlight the Black Women In Comedy Laugh Fest's mission of community building. Joanna Briley. Brooklyn born, Connecticut raised. Hilarity ensued. Joanna’s worked for the MTA 34 years and it’s made her one of the friendliest Token Booth Clerks. With her love of stand up comedy and outrageous subway stories, Ms. Briley has written and will perform “Swipe This: My Life in Transit!” at this year’s NYC Fringe Fest April 5, 9, 11, 16 at the Chain Theatre. Joanna is also the proud creator of the Black Women in Comedy Laff Fest which was created in 2018 and will have her 6th festival this February 26 - March 2 2025 in various venues throughout NYC. Nonye Brown-West is a New York-based Nigerian-American comedian and writer. She has been featured in the Boston Globe's Rise column as a Comic to Watch. She has also appeared on Amazon, NPR, PBS, ABC, Sway In The Morning on Sirius XM, and the New York Comedy Festival. Check her sc

In this episode, Marina Franklin hosts Shari Dunn, author of 'Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work,' and comedian Kenice Mobley. The conversation covers the backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, competency checking, and the pervasive assumption of black intellectual inferiority. Shari Dunn is a polymath, an accomplished journalist, former attorney, news anchor, CEO, and university professor. She is an American Leadership Forum Fellow and has been awarded the prestigious Executive of the Year Award in 2018, the 2019 Women of Influence Award (Portland Business Journal), the Associated Press Award for Best Spot News, and the Wisconsin Broadcasting Association Award for Best Morning News Show. Shari has written for Fortune Magazine; her work has been cited in the Wall Street Journal and quoted in Ad Age and the Chronicle of Philanthropy, among others. Shari is also a sought-after speaker. She holds a BA in philosophy from Marquette University and a JD from Nor

Join Friends Like Us for a vibrant discussion with Lamar Woods & Charles McBee! We celebrate Black excellence, discuss mental health in hip hop, review the Black National Anthem and more.  Lamar Woods Lamar grew up in Atlanta, Ga. where he got his BA in Religious Studies at Georgia State University. Once he graduated, he moved to Los Angeles and got his start in Hollywood studying improv and sketch comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade. Lamar's writing credits include GRAND CREW (NBC),  BROOKLYN 99 (NBC), SINGLE PARENTS (ABC), NEW GIRL (FOX), and SURVIVOR'S REMORSE (Starz).   On the feature side, Lamar co-wrote and stars in IT'S A PARTY which is available on Roku & Amazon.  You can also see Lamar performing around town with his all black, all male, improv/sketch team, The Big Team.   Lamar has also recently released his sophomore hiphop album, Highly Sensitive Person, which is currently available on all DSPs. Highly Sensitive Person..  has successfully over 100, 000 streams Charles McBee is a respected

Discover the connection between Afrofuturism and prophecy with our latest episode featuring Vanessa Fraction and Hollie Harper. Hosted by Marina Franklin, we explore Black History Month and its significance today.  Vanessa Fraction is a talented and hilarious comedian, actress, and writer who has made her mark in various forms of entertainment. She can currently be heard as a co-host on the Nappy Boy Radio Podcast hosted by Tpain and seen in the movie Praise This on Peacock. Vanessa can also be seen guest hosting on the entertainment news show Dish Nation. As a stand-up comedian, Vanessa has performed on Def Comedy Jam , Laff Mobs Laff Tracks , and more. Her writing credits include Raven's Home , 106 & Park , and The Mo'Nique Show. Additionally, she has appeared in the film Barbershop 2 and television shows Last Call, Mann & Wife (BounceTV), Comedy KnockOuts (TruTV) and Tales (BET) Not only is Vanessa "Action" Fraction a talented entertainer, but she is also a certified self-defense instructor. She te

Healing Your Financial Mindset:  Financial expert Kara Stevens, founder of The Frugal Feminista, joins Marina Franklin and Leighann Lord  to share invaluable insights on managing personal finances, healing your mindset, and building wealth. Kara talks about her own journey from financial dysfunction to becoming a money mentor, emphasizing the importance of understanding your relationship with money and making informed financial decisions. Tune in for practical advice on student loans, credit card management, and how to align your financial habits with your values. A must -listen for anyone looking to take control of their financial future with compassion and clarity. Kara Stevens is a powerhouse in the world of financial wellness, blending her expertise in economics, education, and social justice to empower women of color to heal their relationship with money and build lasting wealth. As the founder of The Frugal Feminista, Kara has touched thousands of lives through her transformative programs, bestselling b

In this podcast episode, Marina Franklin hosts Nilanjana 'Buju' Dasgupta and Nonye Brown-West for a discussion around cultural and social change. Nilanjana discusses her new book, 'Change the Wallpaper,' which advocates for a science-driven approach to achieving social change by focusing on local, situational changes rather than solely relying on diversity trainings and symbolic acts. This episode delves into diverse topics such as the impact of early social interactions, classism, the importance of representation, local collective action, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives.  Nilanjana Dasgupta is pro vost professor of psychology and inaugural director of the Institute of Diversity Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is the author of many articles; the winner of the Hidden Bias Research Prize from the Kapor Foundation; and the recipient of multiple U.S. government research grants. Her work has been featured in the New York Times and other major outlets. She lives in No

This week on Friends Like Us, host Marina Franklin is joined by comedians Zainab Johnson and Subhah Agarwal to discuss hope amid the LA wildfires and how you can help. In tough times, community matters  Subhah Agarwal has brought an honesty to her comedy that will leave you saying "I didn't need to know that." Subhah has written for Netflix’s “Arsenio Hall” limited series, the "Plan B" movie on Hulu," and The Jim Jefferies Show"on Comedy Central, amongst others. You can also catch her jokes live at stand up comedy clubs across the country. If you don't want to leave your couch, you can see her late night debut on NBC's "A Little Late With Lilly Singh." She's also appeared on season three of HBO's "Westworld", "General Hospital," TruTv's sketch comedy "Friends of the People", and as herself on MTV2, Comedy Central, and Gotham Comedy Live. Zainab Johnson is a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer quickly being propelled as one of the most unique and engaging performers on stage and screen.  Zainab is currently

This "Friends Like Us", host Marina Franklin chats with Brandon Collins and Hollie Harper about Brandon's new "Drunk Black History" tour, the legacy of Jimmy Carter, and how artistry meets activism.  Hollie Harper is a comedy nerd from South Jersey. She is currently the creator and co-exec producer of Hella Late! with Hollie Harper on BRIC TV and a co-host of the nationally trending Twitter Storytelling Chat “BlerdDating.” Hella Late! with Hollie Harper was recently in the 2021 NYC Web Fest where she was nominated as Best Actress. Hollie was a semi-finalist in the 2019 NBC Standup Competition and has been featured on NY1, and in Black Enterprise Magazine, Thrive Global, Confessional Magazine and Black San Diego Magazine. Her popular sketch comedy show AMERICAN CANDY has played the Comic Strip, Gotham Comedy Club, BAM Café as well as the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Time Out Chicago named them one of the five groups to watch. Hollie is a regular host for West Side Comedy Club in NYC and works with Gold Come

In this New Year’s episode, host Marina Franklin introduces new friend Bob Bordone and comedian Nonye Brown-West. The group dives deep into the complexities of having difficult political conversations, especially in the post-election and current societal climate. Bob Bordone, a Harvard Law School expert in negotiation and conflict resolution, discusses his upcoming book co-authored with Dr. Joel Salinas, blending conflict management and brain science. They explore the generational divide in addressing disagreements and the rising cost of speaking up. Strategies for effective communication and the importance of conflict resilience in maintaining relationships amidst differing viewpoints are key takeaways from the discussion. Bob Bordone is an internationally-recognized expert in negotiation, mediation, consensus-building, and facilitation. A Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, Bob founded and directed the Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program during his two decades as the Thaddeus R. Beal Clinical Profes

This is our Favorite Episode for 2024! Friends Like Us with host Marina Franklin features guests Dr. Donna J Nickel and Nonye Brown-West.  Dr. Donna J. Nickel, an academic from California, discussing her latest book on Claudia Hampton's contributions to affirmative action and black education. The discussion extends to contemporary issues, including the repercussions of ending affirmative action, historical context of race-based discrimination, and the attack on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. The episode aims to shed light on the broader history of race and conservative philanthropy while examining current racial and educational policies. Dr. Donna J. Nicol is the Associate Dean of Personnel and Curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts and a professor of history at California State University Long Beach. She is the immediate past department chair and professor of Africana Studies at CSU Dominguez Hills, a post she held from 2017-2023. She earned her doctorate degree in Educational Studies