From Chicago’s South Side to Dallas Impact

Dr. Lamar T. Quinn is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, pharmacist, and community advocate whose work is reshaping the landscape of Southern Dallas. As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Toast for Charity (TFC), he has helped award more than $60,000 in scholarships to emerging difference-makers and continues to champion education, equity, and opportunity.

In this episode of Making Black History Today, Dr. Quinn discusses the life-changing realities behind the 23-year life expectancy gap between South Dallas and North Dallas, offering a rare, honest perspective from a healthcare professional who confronts the truth about access, prevention, and trust.

Dr. Quinn also speaks directly to the long-standing distrust many Black communities have toward pharmacists and the medical system, breaking down why culturally aware healthcare, prevention education, and medication literacy are essential for closing the gap and saving lives.

This episode explores:

• The 23-year health and life expectancy divide in Dallas

• Why prevention and education are critical in Black communities

• The roots of medical distrust and how pharmacists can rebuild that trust

• How entrepreneurship and service can strengthen community health

• The power of legacy-driven leadership

From launching Love You Most and Make a 360° to leading networks of Black men through The Gentlemen’s Toast, Dr. Quinn’s journey shows what’s possible when purpose meets action.

Listen now if you are passionate about health equity, community impact, and the future of leadership in Black communities.

Follow and share this episode to help spread Dr. Lamar Quinn’s message of health equity, leadership, and Black community empowerment. Comment below with your thoughts, join the conversation, and inspire change in your community!

Singer-songwriter Blanche J is a SoulFunk powerhouse whose music heals, moves, and inspires. A proud Florida A&M University alum with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology, Blanche J blends intellect and intuition to create music that touches the mind, body, and soul.

In this episode, she opens up about:
Touring the world as a background vocalist for Grammy-nominated artist Ari Lennox
The creative journey behind her chart-topping EP voice memos b, which hit #1 on the UK Global Soul Radio chart
How she created her own lane with SoulFunk — music that feeds the spirit and gets you moving
Using her voice for healing, empowerment, and truth

If you love artists who blend purpose with power, this conversation with Blanche J will speak straight to your soul.

Follow and share to support independent Black voices shaping culture today.

Comedian Ryan Davis joins Making Black History Today to share the untold story behind his viral fame and meteoric rise in stand-up comedy.

Fresh off releasing his first stand-up special for FREE on YouTube—which instantly racked up over 1 million views in under two weeks, Ryan opens up about:

• The Blueprint: His journey growing up, early influences, and building a sustainable career in comedy while staying authentic.

• Viral to Purpose: Turning his half a billion online views and viral success into purpose, opportunity, and major deals.

• Breaking Barriers: Creating his own lane, mastering social media, and what it takes to achieve Black excellence in the entertainment industry today.

From social media sensation to selling out theaters, Ryan’s story is about owning your narrative and making history.

Follow NOW and follow Making Black History Today for more inspiring conversations with the innovators, motivators, and history makers shaping the culture today!

Rate, Share, and Follow if you believe in the power of comedy, motivation, and those redefining Black entrepreneurship today.

WNBA Champion Fran Harris sits down with Liz in this "Special Edition" of Making Black History Today. Fran breaks down the current state of Women's Basketball. Liz hosts Fran from the South Oak Cliff High School gymnasium to discuss the WNBA CBA negotiations, why league officiating is a hot button issue, and the on-court rivalry between MVP A'ja Wilson and superstar rookie Caitlin Clark. Plus, analysis on Satou Sabally's success in Phoenix, Odyssey Sims playoff performance, and the Paige Bueckers Rookie of the Year race. Tune in for expert, insider analysis on the biggest stories in the W.

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How does art become an instrument for social change and collective healing?

This week on Making Black History Today, we sit down with the legendary Vicki Meek, acclaimed artist, curator, and cultural critic whose work has transformed how we see Black art, social justice, and community healing.

From her early sculptures confronting political violence to her immersive installations that honor the African Diaspora, Meek has spent five decades building cultural spaces that empower and uplift. She’s the visionary behind the Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition Project and was named the 2021 Texas Artist of the Year, proof that her impact stretches far beyond the gallery walls.

Hear why Vicki believes that Black history is a story of thriving, not just surviving, and how she continues to create art that heals, educates, and liberates.

⏱️ Key Moments:
01:11 – Welcome & introduction to Vicki Meek
16:10 – "How did you end up in Dallas?"

23:10 – The Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition Project
29:10 – "I'm an activist!"
40:26 – Urban Historical Reclamation and Recognition (UHRR)
56:10 – What does "Making Black History Today" mean to you?

Don’t miss this powerful conversation! Tap Follow on Making Black History Today to automatically download new episodes and share this one with someone who believes in the power of Black art.

MAKING BLACK HISTORY TODAY: Two living legends, Albert C. Black Jr. and Charles O'Neal, offer a masterclass in civic leadership, Black entrepreneurship, and the necessity of the Black Chamber of Commerce in Dallas.

What does it mean to truly lead, build, and leave a lasting impact on your community?

In this powerful episode of Making Black History Today, we sit down with two of Dallas's most influential leaders. Mr. Black, the first Black Chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber, and Mr. O’Neal, President of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce, share their incredible journeys from breaking barriers to shaping Dallas’s economic and civic landscape.

Together, they reflect on the complexities of Dallas history, the importance of Black business and economic empowerment, and why telling the full story of Black excellence matters now more than ever.

Key Moments:

• 3:19 — Why is a Black Chamber of Commerce necessary today?

• 20:30 — Couldn't pay attention to what doors were closing behind us (A mindset for success).

• 30:25 — A memorable anecdote about Albert Black Jr.

• 46:26 — Why Pan-Africanism escapes definition in our community.

• 56:41 — What “Making Black History Today” means to you.

Don't miss this inspiring conversation!

If this episode resonated with you, please hit the 'Follow' button on Spotify right now! It's the best way to support the show and ensure you never miss an episode of Making Black History Today.

MAKING BLACK HISTORY TODAY: Dean Felecia Epps, a former Marine Major and Dean of UNT Dallas College of Law, shares her journey of service, her unique perspective on AI in the legal field, and what it takes to be a trailblazer in justice.

In this episode of Making Black History Today, hosts Liz & Porter sit down with Dean Felecia Epps, a legal advocate and Marine Corps veteran who is shaping the next generation of lawyers.

From serving her country and ascending the ranks of the Marines to expanding access to justice, Dean Epps’s journey is a powerful example of Black leadership and commitment to service. We explore her vision for the future of UNT Dallas College of Law, the importance of equity and representation in law, and how her family history, rooted in the Great Migration, fueled her passion for justice.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• How her time as a Marine Major shaped her path in law and leadership.

• The enduring impact of the Great Migration on her family history.

• An expert discussion on how AI is impacting the field of law and legal education.

• The importance of equity, access, and representation in the legal field.

Key Moments

• Great Migration and its impact: 7:29

• How do you see AI impacting law?: 32:34 (Crucial Hook)

• The "Tennis Shoe" story and its lesson on humility: 45:28

• How many Black women were Majors of Marines?: 52:23

• What “Making Black History Today” means to you: 1:12:34

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!

If Dean Epps’ story of leadership, law, and service resonated with you, please hit the 'Follow' button on Spotify right now! It's the best way to support the show and ensure you never miss an episode of Making Black History Today. ✊🏾

MAKING BLACK HISTORY TODAY: Three dynamic Black women leaders discuss dismantling traditional education systems, ensuring equity, and the urgent realities of AI in the classroom and beyond.

What does the future of education look like when traditional systems are questioned, reshaped, or even dismantled? On this episode of Making Black History Today, three dynamic leaders share their insights, challenges, and bold visions for change:

• Dr. Onjaleke Brown – principal redefining schools with equity, creativity, and student well-being at the center.

• Dr. Kimberly Riddick – higher-ed leader creating access and success for first-generation and underrepresented students.

• Dionne Kirby, Ph.D. Candidate – change-maker bridging education, equity, and community transformation.

Together, they explore the urgent realities of education today, from national uncertainties to opportunities for innovation and Black leadership at every level. Tune in to hear how these voices are shaping the future of learning and why the next generation depends on it.

Key Moments

• Department of Education: 17:45

• Brown v. Board of Education Legacy: 23:31

• Are the robots going to take over? (AI in Education): 31:40

• How does nutrition impact education?: 41:12

• What “Making Black History Today” means to you: 47:51

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify to hear more stories from leaders shaping empowerment, equity, and excellence in every field. If this powerful conversation inspired you, please leave a 5-star rating and share this episode with someone passionate about the future of education!