Inside Supplier Diversity with Dr. Darcel Webb & Indria Hollingsworth-Thomas

Supplier Diversity, Economic Equity, and Real Impact. Two transformative leaders. One powerful conversation.

This week, Liz and Porter hosts Dr. Darcel Webb (Director of Supplier Diversity/HUB Program, UT Southwestern & ACCA President) and Indria Hollingsworth-Thomas (South-Central Regional Senior DEI Manager, JE Dunn Construction) who share how supplier diversity and inclusive procurement create essential pathways for minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) to grow, compete, and thrive.

Learn how HBCU roots, intentional partnerships, and strategic procurement turn equity goals into measurable results that actively close the racial wealth gap

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, supplier diversity leader, DEI professional, or corporate leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights on economic equity, corporate access, and community impact.

What you’ll discover:

• How supplier diversity drives economic empowerment

• Strategies for minority and women-owned business success

• Real solutions to close the racial wealth gap

• How we need to collaborate to create tangible opportunities

Listen, learn, and be inspired. Follow, rate, and share this episode to help amplify the leaders reshaping access and equity in business today.

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 inspires, heals, and moves audiences around the world. A Florida A&M University alum with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology, Blanche J combines intellect, emotion, and artistry to create music that uplifts the mind, body, and soul.

In this episode of Making Black History Today, Blanche J shares:

• Touring with Ari Lennox: Life and lessons as a background vocalist for the Grammy-nominated artist.

• Creative Process: The story behind her chart-topping EP voice memos b, which hit #1 on the UK Global Soul Radio chart.

• SoulFunk Innovation: How she carved her own lane blending purpose, power, and musical expression.

• Healing & Empowerment: Using her voice and artistry to inspire self-love, truth, and resilience.

If you love artists who merge creativity with empowerment, this episode will resonate deeply.

Follow Making Black History Today on Spotify to hear more inspiring stories of Black voices shaping culture. Leave a rating and share this episode to amplify Blanche J’s message of music, healing, and empowerment.

Comedian Ryan Davis joins Making Black History Today to share the story behind his viral fame and rapid rise in stand-up comedy. Fresh off releasing his first stand-up special for free on YouTube—which quickly amassed over 1 million views—Ryan opens up about turning talent, strategy, and authenticity into a career that inspires millions.

In this episode, Ryan discusses:

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

• Viral to Purpose: How he transformed viral success and online views into opportunity, purpose, and major deals.

• Breaking Barriers: Creating his own lane in comedy, mastering social media, and achieving Black excellence in entertainment today.

From social media sensation to sold-out theaters, Ryan’s story is a lesson in owning your narrative and making history in the world of comedy.

Key Moments:

• Growing up & early influences: 3:12

• Viral comedy & first YouTube special: 28:10

• Inspirations from comedy legends: 43:38

• Turning viral fame into a sustainable career: 55:34

• What “Making Black History Today” means to Ryan: 55:34

If Ryan’s story of viral comedy, entrepreneurship, and Black excellence inspired you, follow Making Black History Today on Spotify, leave a rating, and share this episode to inspire others.

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 can art become a tool for social change and community healing? On this episode of Making Black History Today, legendary artist, curator, and cultural critic Vicki Meek shares her decades-long journey of creating transformative Black art that uplifts, educates, and empowers.

From early sculptures confronting political violence to immersive installations honoring the African Diaspora, Vicki has spent over five decades shaping spaces for reflection and liberation. She is the visionary behind the Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition Project (UHRR) and was named 2021 Texas Artist of the Year, demonstrating her profound influence beyond the Dallas art scene.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, cultural preservation, and the power of art as activism.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• How Vicki’s art connects Black history, the African Diaspora, and community healing

• The story behind the Urban Historical Reclamation & Recognition Project

• Her perspective on art as activism and a tool for liberation

• The ways Black art can inspire thriving, not just surviving, in communities

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 & Recognition (UHRR)
56:10 – What “Making Black History Today” means to you

If Vicki Meek’s story of Black art, activism, and cultural leadership inspired you, follow Making Black History Today on Spotify and leave a rating. Sharing this episode helps others discover the transformative power of Black art.

What does it take to build lasting economic power and civic influence in a major American city? On this episode of Making Black History Today, two of Dallas’s most respected leaders—Albert C. Black Jr. and Charles O’Neal—share a deep and candid look into Black leadership, entrepreneurship, and community legacy.

Albert Black Jr., the first Black Chair of the Dallas Regional Chamber, and Charles O’Neal, President of the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce, discuss their decades-long impact on Dallas’s economic development. They break down why Black Chambers of Commerce remain essential, how Black business owners can build long-term economic strength, and why understanding Dallas’s full history is key to shaping its future.

This episode is a masterclass in civic power, economic strategy, and community excellence.

Key Moments:
3:19 — Why a Black Chamber of Commerce is necessary today
20:30 — A mindset for success: “Not watching the doors closing behind us”
30:25 — A memorable story about Albert Black Jr.
46:26 — Why Pan-Africanism escapes definition in our community
56:41 — What “Making Black History Today” means to you

If this conversation about Black leadership, economic empowerment, and community impact resonated with you, follow Making Black History Today on Spotify and leave a rating to help more listeners discover these powerful stories.

What does it take to lead with excellence across the military, the law, and higher education? On this episode of Making Black History Today, Dean Felecia Epps—Marine Corps Major, legal advocate, and Dean of the UNT Dallas College of Law—shares her powerful journey of service, leadership, and vision for the future of justice.

Dean Epps discusses how her experience as a Marine Major shaped her legal career, how the Great Migration influenced her family’s path, and why access, equity, and representation remain urgent priorities in today’s legal landscape. She also offers an expert perspective on how AI is reshaping law schools, legal practice, and the future of the justice system.

This episode highlights courage, discipline, and purpose through the story of a leader preparing the next generation of attorneys to meet the moment.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
• How military service and Marine leadership principles shaped her legal career
• The lasting impact of the Great Migration on her family’s pursuit of justice
• A forward-looking discussion on AI’s influence on law and legal education
• Why equity, access, and representation in law remain critical
• How Dean Epps is shaping the future of UNT Dallas College of Law

Key Moments:
7:29 – Great Migration and its impact
32:34 – How AI is shaping the future of law
45:28 – The “Tennis Shoe” story and its lesson on humility
52:23 – How many Black women have been Marine Majors?
1:12:34 – What “Making Black History Today” means to you

If Dean Epps’ story of leadership, service, and vision resonated with you, follow Making Black History Today on Spotify and leave a rating to support the show and help more listeners discover these powerful conversations.