Leaving a toxic work environment may be good for your mental health—but thriving as an entrepreneur or leader requires more than courage; it demands community, balance, and access to opportunity.

In this final episode of the four-part series, No Health, No Wealth — Economic Justice & Health Equity, host Niasha Fray brings the conversation full circle with an honest, solutions-driven discussion about how mental health, economic mobility, and systemic justice intertwine in the lives of Black entrepreneurs and professionals.

🎙️ Featuring:

• Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards — Associate Professor at Duke University, scholar, researcher, author, and nationally recognized voice on race, culture, and health equity. ➤ Learn more at DrBentleyEdwards.com ➤ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/DrBentleyEdwards
• Farad Ali — Economic development leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for minority business advancement whose expertise spans public-private partnerships, capital access, and workforce equity. ➤ Connect on LinkedIn: Farad Ali

Together they explore:

• 💭 Why mental health is critical to economic success and sustainability
• 💰 The hidden costs of layoffs, venture bias, and restructuring
• 🧩 How economic mobility and community wealth drive generational stability
• 🩺 What collective action can look like for health equity and economic justice

“We want to talk about physical health, but we need to really deal with this mental health. It’s important because that also determines if you can be successful in your economic space.” — Farad Ali

💡 Why Listen

If you care about Black entrepreneurship, equitable wealth building, mental health, and systemic change, this conversation connects the dots between policy, practice, and personal resilience—and will leave you inspired to lead with purpose.

📨 Next Steps & Bonus Content

🔹 Listen to all four episodes of the series at NiashaFray.com/podcast or on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and YouTube. 🔹 Subscribe to my newsletter at NiashaFray.com or follow me on Substack at substack.com/@niashafray for deeper insights on this series and a sneak peek at the next and final series of the season. 🔹 Follow Niasha Fray Consulting LLC on LinkedIn, BlueSky, and YouTube for future episodes, events, and collaborations.

🤝 Series Sponsor

Special thanks to Barron J. Damon, Creator and Host of Giving While Black — A podcast that uplifts, amplifies, and celebrates Black philanthropy.

“The impact that philanthropy can have on our health is well researched and documented. I am delighted to sponsor Series 4 of Questions You Didn’t Ask and look forward to additional conversations and collaborations.” — Barron J. Damon

What does it really take for Black entrepreneurs—and especially Black women—to build sustainable businesses and generational wealth? In this episode of Questions You Didn’t Ask, host Niasha Fray sits down with Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards and Farad Ali to unpack the realities of economic justice, health equity, and entrepreneurship in our communities.

From the barriers of delayed payments and lack of access to capital, to the myth that “Black people don’t support Black businesses,” this conversation sheds light on the systems and structures that shape success and struggle. Dr. Bentley-Edwards explores why some Black women are leaving toxic workplaces for entrepreneurship, and why mental health, physical health, and economic health must all be part of the equation. Farad Ali breaks down his “3 Ms” of entrepreneurship—money, markets, and management—and what it means to thrive in business without losing yourself.

This is the third episode in our No Health, No Wealth series. If you missed Episodes 1 and 2, go back and catch up to hear the foundation of this powerful conversation. And don’t miss what’s ahead—our series finale is coming soon, where we’ll close out this journey with even deeper insights into health equity and economic justice.

🎧 Tune in, share with a friend, and join the conversation. Because building wealth, health, and justice isn’t just personal—it’s collective.

Series Sponsor Shout-Out This series is sponsored by Barron J. Damon, MM, ACC, CNC, CNE, Managing Partner of The Business of Life CC, LLC and host of the Giving While Black podcast. His work highlights the power of Black philanthropy, legacy building, and justice-centered giving—values that connect directly to the themes of economic justice and health equity explored in this series. Learn more at givingwhileblackpodcast.com.

What if your zip code determined your health, wealth, and life expectancy? In this episode of Questions You Didn’t Ask, host Niasha Fray explores the deep ties between economic justice and health equity with guests Dr. Keisha Bentley-Edwards (Duke University) and Farad Ali (entrepreneur and community leader).

Together, they reveal how manufactured adversity—from overpriced corner stores to disappearing clinics—creates what Dr. Bentley-Edwards calls “health deserts.” They also challenge the myth of resilience, calling for solutions that address both urgent needs and the root causes of inequity.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “convenience taxes” keep Black communities paying more for less
• How health deserts shape maternal health, chronic disease, and survival
• The role of social capital, financial literacy, and generational wealth in thriving communities
• Why true equity requires both immediate support and long-term systems change

This episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in community transformation, social justice, and health equity.

🎧 Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform—and don’t forget to leave a review.

Sponsored by Barron Damon | Giving While Black Podcast

Series 4 is proudly sponsored by Barron Damon, Professional Certified Philanthropic Coach and host of the Giving While Black Podcast. Discover how strategic philanthropy can fuel growth, engage employees, and create lasting impact.

👉 Learn more: GivingWhileBlackPodcast.com | businessoflifecc.com