Breaking Barriers Podcast

Welcome to the relaunch of Breaking Barriers Season 6! In this podcast episode, co-host Daniel Robertson interviews Donovan Armprester, a young entrepreneur and member of the Breaking Barriers Youth Leadership Council, as they discuss Donovan's experiences and perspectives. In this episode, we'll cover: - Donovan's journey as an entrepreneur and the story behind his business, Munchies - How Donovan has been involved in breaking barriers and the impact it has had on him - Donovan's approach to stress and mental health as a young person - Balancing school, entrepreneurship, and various extracurricular activities - Donovan's take on what he aims to bring to the Breaking Barriers podcast as a new host

Check out the latest podcast featuring Founder and Executive Director of the  Y.A.L.E Academy, LeAnthony Freeman. LeAnthony talks about the challenges of his childhood growing up in Buffalo, his journey as a nontraditional student at Morehouse College, what led him to dedicate his life to youth development, and so much more.

On this episode, Dorian and new Breaking Barriers Podcast co-host Tyeler, sit down with Reggie Keith. Reggie is the Founder of Canna House, Western New York's premiere cannabis social club. The guys chop it up with Reggie about how he ventured into the cannabis space, the opportunities presented by the cannabis industry, now that it's legal in New York State, the challenges for young people in the space and so much more.

Check out the latest episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast. Joe, Xavier and Dorian sit down with Drumwork Music Group's O.J. Barker. They discuss the flourishing music scene in Buffalo, the ascension of Drumwork Music, keeping the legacy of O.J.'s brother Weeze alive and much more. 

Xavier and Dorian sit down with Byron Cogdell, Owner of the Hoagie Stop in Buffalo. They discuss how he started his business from his backyard, how it's becoming one of Buffalo's fastest growing small businesses, his plan on growing and franchising the brand and much more. To see this interview, head over to YouTube or just CLICK HERE.

Xavier, Joseph and Dorian sits down with entrepreneur, accountant and owner of The Cellar, Yusef Burgos. The chop it up about how he balances working full time as an accountant with owning Buffalo's only luxury sneaker boutique, the importance of keeping your books together in business, the idea of the "Black Tax" and much more.

Check out the latest episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast featuring Jerrell Mason, Director of Community Engagement for Best Self. Daniel, Xavier and Dorian chop it up with Jerrell about how his troubled past helped direct his steps in becoming a mentor, community leader and advocate for those suffering from homelessness.

The Breaking Barriers Podcast is back for the launch of season 5. Daniel, Xavier and new co-host Dorian sit down with the Founder of Trust God Ministries and the Trust God clothing brand Bruce Warrick. Bruce gets personal about his tumultuous relationship with his parents coming up, his marriage and family, his commitment to the youth, how he came to God, how he built a wildly successful clothing brand and so much more. 

What's Pop-In?? Check out the latest episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast. Xavier and Daniel sit down with Stefan Coker of Whats Pop-In Gourmet Popcorn. The guys chop it up about Stefan's incredible backstory, the business of popcorn, the power of entrepreneurship and so much more.

Dwayne, Xavier and Daniel sit down with financial advisor and Founder of the TLD Financial Literacy Cards, Terrance DuBois, to discuss all things financial literacy, the importance of investing, building generational wealth and so much more.    For more information about TLD Financial Literacy Cards, visit:  https://www.tldflashcards.com   Also follow Terrance on Instagram:  https://instagram.com/tl_dubois

On this episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, Xavier and Daniel sit down with Ivory Robinson, CEO of HARP Data Connections. They discuss Ivory's upbringing, the importance of reliable technology in underserved communities, closing the digital divide for disproportionately disadvantaged communities and so much more.

Breaking Barriers teamed up with the Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals for their fourth annual Black Restaurant Week in Buffalo. In addition to experiencing some of the most amazing food in Buffalo, during this week, the Breaking Barriers Podcast will highlight some of the most prolific and sought after chefs in the city.    On this episode, Dwayne, Xavier and Daniel sit down with Chef Stephen Forman, Executive Chef at Delaware North and Owner of Thyme-n-Honey. Chef Stephen chops it up with the fellas about what goes into making the perfect meal and even gives them a cooking demonstration

Breaking Barriers teamed up with the Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals for their fourth annual Black Restaurant Week in Buffalo. In addition to experiencing some of the most amazing food in Buffalo, during this week, the Breaking Barriers Podcast will highlight some of the most prolific and sought after chefs in the city.   On this episode, Dwayne, Xavier and Daniel sit down with Chef Holt and Chef Ingram, Owners of Manna @ Northland. They talk about how Manna quickly became one of the most in demand restaurants in the city. The chefs also make a bold claim about just how good their fried chicken is.

Happy 2021! On the season premiere of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, Daniel and Xavier sit down with Dr. Carl Stokes Jr., an award-winning social worker, educator and speaker. They talk to Dr. Stokes about his new book, "Reclaim Your Visibility", his own challenges of navigating fatherhood at a young age, The Black Fatherhood Pledge, and so much more. 

On this episode, Daniel, Dwayne, Xavier and newest member of the Breaking Barriers Youth Leadership Council, Deonte, wrap up what has been a very eventful 2020 calendar year. They also discuss what the are looking forward to going into 2021, as well as invite Breaking Barriers Podcast Producer Jamil Crews to the pod. 

On this episode, Dwayne and Daniel sit with Christopher Smitherman, II, Operations Associate for McDonald's Corporation. They discuss Chris' journey to Buffalo, the difference between McDonald's Corporation and the franchise model of McDonald's, career paths at McDonald's for those looking to go the corporate route, Chris' travels and experience to South Korea and so much more. 

Dr. Chris St. Vil stops by the podcast to talk about his work with Boys and Men of Color, dispelling the notion of what a doctor looks like, breaks down current events and so much more. 

On this episode Daniel and Xavier from the Breaking Barriers Youth Leadership Council sit down with Nigel Brown, Chief Technology Officer and Founder of The Dreamers Corp. Nigel talks about his upbringing in foster care, his goal to help create more coders of color and so much more. 

On this episode, Dwayne and Daniel speak to high school basketball coach and former professional basketball star Jason Rowe about his illustrious career, how he uses sports to mentor young men, who are the new OG's of this generation and much more. 

Please check out and share the next episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast. This next episode is a very timely one, as Dwayne , Xavier and Daniel Robertson sit down with Ryan Tillman, Founder of Breaking Barriers United. Ryan is a California-based police officer who not only uses his platform to give objective perspectives of police/community interactions, but also works to bridge the disconnect between the police and the community. We are seeing an onslaught of attacks on people of color across the country at the hands of law enforcement and this conversation is important as we look to continue to find ways of reconciling and building trust between law enforcement and communities of color.