What's Next Mel?

Xian Bell, a music artist that has been placed on Apple's Music Artist to look out for in 2023. 

We sit down with Xian Bell to talk about his latest album, Crenshaw at Midnight.

We speak about his process on creating this album?

The highs and lows of being an independent music artist. 

His take on R&B being consider "dead/canceled"

You can follow Xian on social media: 

We see it talked about on social media or amongst family and friends but are we truly helping Black Men and their Mental Health. 

I speak with Kam, a mental health advocate on how society pressures Black Men & what it does to their mental health.

We speak on Black male celebrities and how they either help or not on raising awareness for Black Men and their mental health.

Why are older generations scared to believe that mental health is an issue or concern?

Kam Phillips facilitates programs that integrate financial and emotional wellness to prepare students for career success. After excelling with investment management firms, Kam decided to use walk away from the corporate world and use his gifts to help the next generation manage their emotions, money, and relationships.

Kam is a proud native of metro Atlanta, former college athlete, author, and mental health advocate.

Connect with Kam: 

It's 2022 and we're going through a transition from a global pandemic to some type of "normalcy." As we go through this transition, you have heard or seen people discussing living a Holistic lifestyle. 

Holistic living is a lifestyle that nourishes your mind, body, and soul. It is a way of looking at the bigger picture and connecting with one self. 

We speak with Jacklyn Sweet on living a Holistic lifestyle and how we can start this journey of a more conscious living. 

Jacklyn Sweet is a Certified Holistic Life and Wellness Coach, registered yoga teacher, and creator of vibes and safe spaces. Residing in sunny Los Angeles (by way of New Jersey), Jacklyn has always been a lover of health and wellness and leading a life lived well. Her passion and mission to empower women to live a life of authenticity through wellness inspired her to create “Sweet Life Sundays,” a lifestyle wellness brand founded by Jackie in 2016. Creating a sacred space that’s chill, inviting, and relatable for WOC to heal, release, and restore in their divine feminine energy is what Jacklyn prides herself in. One of Jacklyn’s favorite quotes to live by is, “Success is the child of audacity”. Live boldly!

Connect with Jacklyn: 

I'm sharing my story of when I didn't hold myself accountable with an old friend. How I thought that everyone else around me was the problem. The resources that I learned to got me to the place of holding myself accountable.

When you become accountable for your behavior and actions toward others; you grow! 

Through self-love and self reflecting, I learned how to become the best version of myself. It allowed me to hold myself accountable in future situations and to hold other people accountable while understanding that were all on different levels of growth. 

We are back for an all new season on What's Next Mel?

We are starting off season 3 of What's Next Mel? with Alison (dating & relationship coach). 

We talk about the dating apps, commitment, and more. 

Alison Wellington has been counseling clients for over 10 years. Most recently, due to her own love story, Alison has decided to dedicate her talents to work directly with women 30+ who are looking for guidance in finding the partner she deserves. 

Connect with Alison: 

Please email her at Info@AlignwithAlison.com for inquiries.

This season's theme is "Looking in the Mirror!"

We are self-reflecting, being honest with ourselves, and holding ourselves accountable! 

Are you ready?

Don't forget to subscribe and turn on notifications for a new episode drop on all podcast platforms! 

Follow us on Social Media:

Have you been hearing a lot about Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency? Are you unsure if you should put money into Bitcoin? Is this new direction that we're heading for currency and finances? 

I speak with Melissa about her journey into cryptocurrency and how it works and is beneficial to businesses and individuals. 

Melissa Henderson is a prolific writer and digital media executive with past roots at Ebony, Essence, Elle, and The Huffington Post. Her specialty is urban storytelling mixed with an international approach. In 2016, she founded Violet Summer®️, a design and technology-driven boutique writing company, which can be found in the New York Public Library. When she’s not writing briefs and marketing presentations, she’s learning about crypto, Web 3.0, and other futuristic investment strategies. You can subscribe to her substack Crypto in the City for more details.

Connect with Melissa: 

Statistics show that each year, nearly 2,000 babies are born in prison. On April 9, 1995, Byron was part of that statistic. He is also known as Mosoul. He is an author, activist, social entrepreneur and scholar. He is the founder of From The Hood For The Hood: A 501C3 nonprofit dedicated to developing, empowering, and engaging young people and communities that are often overlooked while being a training catalyst for social justice. 

In the midst of the pandemic, receiving death threats and having his property vandalized. He led several social justice initiatives, over a dozen protests across the nation, city wide social equity, initiative across the state of Michigan, and collaborated with Rapper Eminem which lead to him distributing over 65,000 pandemic relief kits across the country. 

He draws his inspiration as an activist from the realization that "We are the change of which we seek". 

Byron and I talk about the different ways social justice has evolved and the future of social justice. 

He shares on how we can help and how to continue to fight for what is right! 

Connect with Byron: 

Have you and your partner been thinking about becoming pregnant?

Are you currently pregnant or recently given birth to your beautiful baby?

You want listen to this episode as I speak with Chanel (A Werking Mama). 

Chanel Hogue is a Wife, Mama of two, Birth Doula, Virtual Doula, Childbirth Educator, and Lactation Educator. She is passionate about providing mamas with the education, resources and support to achieve a fearless and positive natural birth. She truly believes our bodies were designed to do this and with the proper preparation and support, we can!

Her approach to education is to provide evidence-based information paired with simple tools that mama and partner can implement during pregnancy to become confident and ready to birth your baby.

She believes that birth can be beautiful, pain-free, uninterrupted and empowering if the mind and body are prepared to do the werk.

We speak about her experience with a c-section & natural birth. We also discuss having a postpartum plan, and getting a doula/midwife. 

You can sign up for Chanel's Birth Course and download all of her resources that she provides. 

She also provides virtual doula services! 

Connect with Chanel: 

Have you questioned your religion or spirituality that was put on you from birth?

Are you exploring different religions? Are your learning more about your spirits and ancestors?

I speak with Javia, a psychic & tarot reader. She is a numerologist and Reiki Master. 

She is a boy mom. 

We talk about her journey to becoming a tarot reader. 

We speak on our spiritual journey's and what tools to use on your journey. 

Connect with Javia: (currently her books are closed, but follow her on social media to learn when she is going open them)

Have you been trying to figure out your creative niche?

Do you know what you're creative niche and trying to figure out how to dominate it?

We talk to Yasmine about being able to explore her creative niche and creating a lane for yourself. 

Zora Voyce is an African American female that was born with HIV.
Her purpose is to inspire people to heal and define themselves through self-love. We don’t have to subject ourselves to a flawed narrative that aims to oppress and control how we feel about our self-image.

I'm forever thankful for everyone that was a guest on my podcast! 

We talk about the best episodes of season 1 and more of an intro about Melanie! 

I hope that you all enjoyed season 1 of What's Next Mel? 

I can't wait to come back for season 2!!!!

Millennial Women are either are dating to find their partner and want to start a family. Or they are married and starting a family with their partner. What if they are genuinely happy being single and want to focus on their career before settling down? Should their family, friends, and society make them feel that they aren't really a women because they don't have a partner or kids at 30? Do women know that sometimes they could be the problem in their relationship? Let's dive into millennial women in relationships and dating with Jada Moore (dating and relationship coach). 

A woman of Faith, an Author, Podcast Host, Dating & Relationship Coach - helping the broken woman heal from her past, and the happy woman maintain wholeness. Jada has been on both ends of the spectrum, the brokenness and now, the wholeness. She decided to create a coaching practice dedicated to helping women redefine brokenness, what it means to truly heal, and support them in their journey to wholeness. Her practice also focuses on coaching women through maintaining their wholeness and a healthy relationship. She's passionate about supporting and empowering women in life, and in love!

Stay Connected with Jada: 

The most taboo topic to talk about at the dinner table! We are talking about sex! As millennials most of us are exploring sexual intercourse with our partner. Some of us are curious about sex toys, positions, and more but don't feel comfortable talking about it with our partner. Some of us love talking about sex and talk about it openly with our friends and partners. While others like to keep the sex talk more private. 

I had the pleasure of talking to Shirley, who has a degree in marriage and relationship therapy. This has allowed her to teach women more about sexual education with themselves and their partner. 

Shirley Dorsainvil is a conscious public speaker, award-winning online creative, and the voice of Black and Caribbean millennials navigating self-care routines on popular social spheres. She uses her expertise in relationships to navigate conversations surrounding sexuality education and intimacy exploration. It is no wonder she is the woman to watch and awarded the top 20 under 40 professional.

Social Media:

I wanted to continue our conversation on Entrepreneurship because I believe it is a huge topic for millennials. I connected with Lauren aka Cozy Lo through Clubhouse. I'm grateful to had this conversation with her. It was absolutely amazing; we were able to connect on our age and being entrepreneurs during a pandemic. We also talk about what its like to be scared through our journey of owning our own business. 

Another great point in our conversation is about following your passions and dreams. It's okay to do multiple different things at the same if it makes you happy! 

Cozy Lo is a Detroit native with a passion for creating in the food, wellness, and entertainment space. Through my experiences, I strive to exemplify authenticity, help others excel, and contribute to empowering the culture through creativity.

You can follow her on social media at: 

The biggest thing that is being talked about is entrepreneurship. Everyone has their opinions on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. 

I sit down with Elaina an entrepreneur who has started her own small business. We talk about the struggles of entrepreneurship but also the great moments that entrepreneurship brings to our lives. 

Elaina Lyons is the owner of Lyons Share Marketing, LLC, an agency that works with small businesses and nonprofits to help them reach more people and expand their reach. Lyons is also a volunteer firefighter, and spends every third day on shift at the fire station. In her spare time, she enjoys writing and baking. 

IG: @lyons_share_marketingllc

FB: @lyonssharemarketingllc

Jasma Olivia has built up quite a resume during her high school, college, and professional career. As a junior at Langston Hughes High School in Fairburn, GA, Jasma founded Zeta Nu Beta, an all-girls social organization that focused on leadership, sisterhood, and community service. Active for five consecutive school years (2009-2014), the organization completed over 300+ hours of community service.

Jasma then went on to earn her bachelor’s degree full-time while serving in The United States Air Force on Active Duty.  Her last duty station before separating after five years of service was in Washington D.C at the Pentagon. She was hand-selected Air Force DoD-wide to work in the Secretary of Defense Front Office.

Now, Jasma has embarked on her next journey in life. She works as a Senior Consultant at a Management and IT Consulting Firm all while earning her master’s degree in leadership and focusing on her entrepreneurial goals.

Jasma Olivia is the writer and author of her new book “The Things They Didn’t Teach Us” which serves as a blueprint for teenagers and young adults revealing the life skills needed to thrive in Adulthood.

It was great talking to Jasma about all the things that we wish we learned in high school and college that would have prepared us for the "real world." 

Social Media Handles: Instagram: @jasmaolivia 

I talk with Ebonee on how mental health has affected us personally, family, friends, and relationships. 

Ebonee Gilliard is a Communications Specialist in big tech, focusing on social media and employee engagement. She has ten years of experience in communications; internal, external and executive level. Ebonee studied Journalism, Public Relations and Strategic Communication at the The University of Oklahoma, where she was part of the National Education of Women’s Leadership (N.E.W.). She also studied abroad via the American University in London and was able to partner with Journalism and Communication giants like the BBC and Al Jazeera. Her pronouns are she/her/hers and she identifies as a Texas-Bama.

Social Media Handles: (Twitter & Instagram) @EboneeNicolePR

Mental Health Resources: 

Season 1 has begun and were starting with a powerful first episode. I had the pleasure to connect with Toni Hunt, the founder of Power She Holds.  "The Power She Holds, helps teach high-achieving millennial women how to create powerful relationships to unlock their life’s purpose..." (mission statement).

Toni Hunt started The Power She Holds in 2018 after going through a personal journey that lifted her self worth and forced her to never look back. After graduating college in Ohio, Hunt accepted a job in Washington D.C. This move away from family, friends and everything as she knew it excited her, but it ultimately was the factor that began her growth. Hunt began to unveil the most vulnerable layers of her life searching for happiness. She discovered her insecurities, doubts and traumas. She also discovered the power of forgiveness and overall faith in God. While her journey of self discovery was one of the most challenging moments of her life, she saw the amount of resilience and confidence in herself that she had never had. She sought out on her mission to help women unlearn, forgive and rewrite for success.