California

[5:00] I don’t call it weight loss – I call it weight release
[7:10] People are confused because the experts can’t agree on what’s healthy
[7:30] Nutrition isn’t just about what you eat – it’s about your relationship with food
[14:45] No one is broken - we’re just working toward a healthier version of you
[17:53] Fitness and health are not quick fixes – it’s a lifelong journey
[23:15] Your body changes as you age
[24:15] You can’t outwork a bad diet – it’s not just about calories in and calories out
[26:00] Change can’t be forced – it has to come from the person
[27:53] Some foods act like drugs – changing eating habits is about breaking emotional patterns
[32:13] Being a business owner is about passion

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

We Heal Different – Breezy & Bobbi

#069 – In this powerful episode, Anthony and Vincent sit down with Breezy & Bobbi, the inspiring sister duo behind *We Heal Different*, a dance studio and healing space in Richmond, CA. Breezy & Bobbi share their incredible journey of creating a community-centered space focused on dance, sisterhood, and healing. They discuss how their studio empowers women to reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their sensuality through movement, pole, and twerk classes — all grounded in the principles of self-love, empowerment, and healing.

We Heal Different provides a range of movement-based classes, including pole dancing, twerking, belly dance fusion, and stretch sessions, all designed to help women reconnect with their bodies and heal through movement. They also offer holistic experiences such as sister circles, trauma release ceremonies, and community events to foster emotional healing and support. In addition to dance, the studio provides massage therapy, Pilates (coming soon), and birth justice work, creating a safe and sacred space for women to reclaim their sensuality and strength in a supportive, community-driven environment.

A takeaway for us was how Breezy & Bobbi emphasize that healing is not a linear process — it’s relational and deeply connected to community and movement. They highlight that many women carry trauma and disconnection from their bodies due to societal pressures, past experiences, and internalized shame. Through their classes and sister circles, Breezy & Bobbi create a space where women can feel safe to release emotional tension, reconnect with their sensuality, and build authentic relationships with others. Their approach challenges the idea that healing happens in isolation, instead showing that true healing comes through shared experiences, trust, and collective support.

Links

[2:08] We’ve curated a space where you can leave the day behind and light some incense...
[5:00] How you work in your own inner unit, with your family, says a lot about how you can work with others.
[8:50] I want people to be self-sustainable. I want you to be able to tap into your own resources.
[18:40] Movement is medicine. It's a way for us to heal from within and reclaim our power.
[20:30] Healing isn’t linear — it happens in community, through movement, through relation, and through holding space for one another.
[23:25] You see women slowly open up — at first they’re covered up, but over time they start wearing shorts...
[36:00] Energy transcends everything.
[45:01] Consistency over popularity — that's the key to building something sustainable.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

Centro Community Partners – Arturo Noriega Part 2

#068 – Our discussion with Arturto was so inspiring and really went in 2 directions. In episode 67, he talks about his journey of starting Centro and we brought in a Centro entrepreneur, Annie Wang from Little Moon Bakehouse. In this episode, Arturo shares his journey as a social entrepreneur, providing wisdom from his experiences founding Centro, and writing his book *In Pursuit of a Noble Cause*. Arturo’s work centers on uplifting low-income and marginalized communities through innovative tools and social impact initiatives.

Arturo Noriega penned “In Pursuit of a Noble Cause” to support social entrepreneurs looking to start a social enterprise. It will also resonate with professors who teach principles of social entrepreneurship.

“I have read several books on nonprofit management, nonprofit leadership, and some tools, but they didn’t necessarily hit home for me. I think what was missing is really the pain of starting a nonprofit or a social enterprise. It requires a lot of perseverance. It’s a book really written about waking people up to our industry, the economic development industry, the struggle of women entrepreneurs in particular, and people of color, and my personal struggles.”

Arturo highlighted the rapid growth in the number of people of color leading nonprofit organizations. He emphasized that these leaders require support due to their unique leadership styles, which are often rooted in their cultural norms and understanding. Implicit bias can be a significant barrier to success for leaders of color, and it can negatively impact both their direction and overall achievements.

Arturo discussed the challenges with writing the book as a new author and while recovering from long COVID and also having dyslexia.

It’s a lot so we split it into 2 episodes.

Links

Website – Centro

Instagram – Centro

Facebook – Centro

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

[0:44] It was written with the purpose of inspiring other social entrepreneurs…
[1:21] Starting a nonprofit or a social enterprise requires a lot of perseverance…
[4:21] The book is for social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders ready to create a social impact
[5:03] I’ve been through a lot of failure, and I realized that pain helps us grow…
[5:47] I realized my own power, found my voice, and it was worth something
[6:14] Long COVID kept me bedridden for months, and writing the book saved me
[10:48] Centro creates the next generation of AI tools to help underserved entrepreneurs
[12:23] We need to create businesses that help our families thrive

Centro Community Partners – Arturo Noriega and Annie Wang – Little Moon Bakehouse

#067 – Today we are joined by 2 guests: Arturo Noriega, Founder and CEO of Centro Community Partners and Annie Wang, owner of Little Moon Bakehouse. Arturo shares his journey of starting Centro to help entrepreneurs in underserved communities, particularly women and immigrants, build successful businesses. Annie discusses her path to launching Little Moon Bakehouse, a vegan, eco-conscious bakery. Together, they explore the roles of community support, sustainable practices, and the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.

Centro Community Partners provides business training, financial literacy, access to capital, and 1:1 business coaching for success. Arturo says…

“We cater to how we can help you create an idea that is profitable… We listen to you… We will never judge your idea.”

Arturo shared that approximately 80% of the entrepreneurs Centro has supported since its inception have been women. When asked why, he said he believes women are more likely to seek help & training and have a desire to work and build community with other entrepreneurs to create a system of support as they embark upon their path to financial freedom.

Little Moon Bakehouse is a Centro company. Annie started Little Moon Bakehouse to make sustainable Asian pastries by lessening the environmental impact of food production. …

“everything is vegan, and we use compostable packaging.”

Eliminating animal products from food production can have a significantly positive environmental impact. Since many baked goods rely heavily on animal products such as eggs and milk, Annie faced an uphill battle that required reimagining baked pastries.

Arturo and Annie both underscore the importance of community support, intentional values, and perseverance in building impactful businesses. Whether it’s providing resources for underserved entrepreneurs or creating climate-friendly bakery items, both guests demonstrate the power of purpose-driven work in our Oakland community.

Links

Website – Centro

Website – Little Moon

Instagram – Centro

Instagram – Little Moon

Facebook – Centro

Facebook – Little Moon

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

[2:30] About 80 percent of our clients are women…
[4:14] Microfinance was a way to bring opportunity to those who have been denied access
[6:45] Starting a business is a roller coaster ride…
[6:56] We listen to you. We will never judge your idea...
[22:08] When we opened in 2010, the people coming for help were primarily women
[25:34] Collaboration over competition…
[33:57] I started Little Moon Bakehouse to make sustainable Asian pastries…
[37:13] We’re committed to reducing the climate impact in every part of our business
[41:11] Vegan baking is hard because baking is so heavily dependent on dairy and eggs

Duafe Designs – Ayodele Kinchen

#066 – Today our guest is Ayodele Kinchen, a gifted and self taught artist, designer, and visionary. With a keen eye and talent for design, she finds joy creating wearable art that transforms the everyday woman into a Queen, and aims to design pieces that heal, encourage, honor, and beautify the mind, body, and spirit.

Her business started by making things for herself – handmade goods like jewelry, home decor, clothing, and handbags. People started asking, “Hey, where’d you get that from?” So she started making stuff for other people. But, when she started making waist beads, her business exploded.

“I have been wearing them since I was a child. I knew and understood the traditional practice of wearing them so I felt if I decided to actually make them for others, I can equip people with additional knowledge and context behind why they’re worn. So I felt really good about adding that to my collection of goods, however, once I added that as a collection of items that I would include under my business name, it took off like crazy. And it’s basically, it took over my entire business making handbags and jewelry and everything else.”

We thought we were talking to an artist, but found out we were talking to a culture keeper, a change maker, a healer, and a counselor. Ayodele’s customers love her, evident by the repeat bookings for private parties. But, the best compliments have come from the women who told her she literally changed their lives, one actually calling her a healer.

Be sure to listen to the whole interview to hear how Ayodele bet on herself – leaving her full time 9 to 5 while pregnant with her 3rd child and never looking back.

Links

[1:19] I'm located in downtown Oakland
[4:15] I actually was introduced to waist beats as a child
[5:07] Once I added waist beads, it took off like crazy
[10:10] If there is any time for me to break away from this 9 to 5, this is it
[17:22] I realized that it takes team
[18:31] Sacrifices that come with growth
[22:36] I do value myself as a culture keeper
[24:37] I co-direct a Rite of Passage program
[26:18] I was so excited to move to downtown Oakland
[34:30] The best compliment is a myriad of women telling me I literally changed their lives

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

Oakland’s 2023 Restaurant Week Kicks off March 16, 2023

It’s time again for Oakland Restaurant Week, a ten day event where the top restaurants in The Town design special menus to entice diners and showcase the culinary innovation that Oakland is known for. It’s a great time to go out and sample the delicacies that our city has to offer, and this year there’s an extra incentive: 12 restaurants are partnering with Community Kitchens to bring you “Community Course,” which offers diners a chance to make a $5 donation while they enjoy their meal. This nominal donation will go to enabling other people in our town to taste the same great flavors, people who might not otherwise have the resources to do so.

Community Course is an optional $5 donation that diners are encouraged to add to their Restaurant Week meal at one of the participating restaurants. One hundred percent (100%) of funds raised will support East Oakland Collective’s August Feed The Hood event in conjunction with Digital Underground’s 3rd annual Shock G Day, and all Community Course donations will be matched by the Oakland Roots Sports Club.

Participation in this fundraiser is an acknowledgement of what a tremendous privilege it is to be able to eat from the kitchens of all our diverse and amazing Oakland Restaurant Week chefs, as well as an opportunity to make this event meaningful both for those who participate and those who cannot.

Below are the restaurants participating in Community Course; they represent the creativity, diversity and generous spirit of Oakland. Treat yourself to a once-in-a-year delight at one of these establishments, and when your meal is over, consider deepening your bond to the community by donating a little bit to the great town we live in.

Restaurant Week is March 16-26, 2023.

More information is on the Visit Oakland site: https://www.visitoakland.com/events/annual-events/restaurant-week/

Lion Dance Cafe

380 17th Street

Lion Dance Cafe is offering a two course menu plus a glass of red or white wine; the wine is vegan and sourced from makers traditionally underrepresented in their fields.

“This vegan restaurant that opened during the pandemic is inspired by Singaporean and Chinese cuisine. Formerly a pop-up known as S+M Vegan, many of the dishes are inspired by co-founder CY Chia’s childhood in Singapore, which includes family recipes and classic hawker fare. The plant-based menu focuses on high quality, seasonal ingredients culled from the local Old Oakland farmers market and other local farms. The menu is always changing, resulting in delightful surprises like Rendang and Nami Lemak with jackfruit that’s caramelized in a house-made spice paste with coconut pandan rice, and a Shaobing sandwich that’s only available on Fridays and Saturday, with roasted sweet potato and preserved Chinese mustard greens on bread that’s baked in-house. The restaurant is also moving toward a cooperative model, and current staff-inspired dishes also appear on the menu.”

– Thrillist

Home of Chicken & Waffles

444 Embarcadero West

Home of Chicken & Waffles is offering an amazing deal: Buy One plate of Chicken and Waffles and get the second one for Free!

“This family-owned Oakland eatery is the kind of place where you can merrily eat your way into oblivion, Southern-style. First-timers need to know this: the fried chicken is coated in a crispy, thin crust with a hint of spice, and it’s served with waffles. Yes, breakfast waffles. Yes, you’re supposed to drizzle everything with syrup. Yes, it is tasty. Among signature dishes is Angie’s Delight, a plate that includes one fried chicken breast and one waffle, with a side of grits. You’ll have to make some choices: dark meat or white (even the white meat is moist and tender), Southern-style or smothered (either way it’s fried, but smothered chicken comes obscured with gravy), waffles or another side dish (stick with waffles). If you’ve ordered right you won’t have room for dessert, which tend to be super-sweet throwbacks to a bygone era. You’d be better off

skipping the pecan pie and ordering a second piece of chicken or another waffle. Also located in Walnut Creek.”

– Gayot

Parlour

357 19th Street

Parlour is featuring seasonal dishes priced at $45 or $65 prix fixe meal options with a la carte option as well.

Parlour’s Italian influenced Bay Area cuisine showcases the beautiful wood-fired oven that is the centerpiece of the open kitchen, while the bar offers classic and modern cocktails with an assortment of carefully curated spirits, wines, and beer.

Occitania

422 24th st, Oakland, CA 94612

At Occitania you can sample a glass of sparkling wine before you dive into the two-course prix fixe menu, featuring classic pork rillettes and pan roasted sturgeon.

Inspired by regional southern French cuisine, Occitania is named after the traditional Occitan linguistic region, which stretches across regions of France, Italy and Spain.

It is an area of culinary familiarity for Chef Paul Canales, who first made his mark on the Bay Area at Oliveto preparing Northern Italian food before becoming known for Spanish tapas and paella at Duende.

Mela Bistro Modern Ethiopian

35 Grand Ave

Come to Mela Bistro to experience a Taste of Ethiopia. Guests will start with appetizers, meat and vegetarian/vegan options, house made honey wine and dessert.

Mela Bistro Modern Ethiopian Cuisine is an intimate restaurant in downtown Oakland where you can gather with colleagues, family and friends. Executive Chef Adiam Tsegaye incorporates modern and traditional techniques that highlight the rich essence of Ethiopian cuisine. Her menu creations are plated beautifully, offering patrons high quality meats and fish, fresh vegetables and traditional Ethiopian spices and herbs.

Bar Cesar

4039 Piedmont Ave

Bar Cesar is offering a special prix fixe menu offering 3 courses for $40. The menu includes a choice of Guacamole or Oysters, Ceviche Tostada or Potato Flautas, & Lamb Chops, Grilled Salmon, or Mushroom Enchiladas.

“Bar César first and foremost offers the broadest selection of classic cocktails, spirits, beer and wine — the menu blends Latin American, Iberian as well as local cuisine. To a great extent the ingredients are fresh farm to table and sustainable.”

– Urban Dining Guide

Sidebar

542 Grand Ave

Sidebar is offering a special prix fixe dinner menu for $45 per person, featuring a seasonal salad, choice of entree and Chocolate Bar Coconut ice cream.

An old school neighborhood eatery with timeless appeal and a modern approach, Sidebar is where Oakland’s past meets its present. Sit alongside Lake Merritt, and enjoy classic cocktails, good food, cold beer, and nice wine.

Bardo Lounge & Supper Club

3343 Lakeshore Ave

At Bardo you’ll find a three-course dinner menu, with a choice of entree between Braised beef short rib and Roasted Tofu with crispy fingerling potatoes.

“This lounge lets you time travel back to the swinging 60s. The space is comprised of cozy nooks, all meticulously curated with throwback flair, as well as a more traditional dining room upstairs. Note the cool couples in the alcoves, nibbling bites from groovy vintage metal tray tables. Earnest service keeps it all in check.

The menu matches the mood; and cocktails, like those punch bowls, figure largely. While nostalgia peppers the carte, familiar-sounding items like broccolini casserole and porcupine meatballs have been reimagined with sparkling results—think lemongrass vinegar and mint aïoli. Can’t decide thanks to one-too-many sips of the stirring stuff? Order the ‘Dinner Party Menu,’ which leaves you in the hands of this capable kitchen.”

– Michelin Guide

Brotzeit Lokal

1000 Embarcadero

Brotzeit Lokal is offering a weekday lunch special for $15, and two different three-course prix fixe specials, for brunch and dinner each. These specials come with a choice of fan-favorite Bavarian dishes and a select cocktail, beer or wine.

“If you want a water view with your brew, head to this spot east of Jack London Square and enjoy a bretzel and obatzda (a soft German pretzel with Bavarian cheese dip), a selection of local wurst, or some Wiener schnitzel with your German or Belgian beer.”

– Fodor’s Travel Guide

Calavera

2337 Broadway

Calavera is offering a Three-Course dinner menu for $45 featuring the the best in Mexican cuisine in a lively, vibrant dining room in the heart of uptown Oakland. Check out the menu below:

“Calavera’s diverse menu celebrates the unique and layered gastronomy of Mexico. Using traditional ingredients and techniques, Chef Omar Huerta presents both new and familiar Mexican flavors with an inspired, modern perspective. Calavera offers a full bar with an extensive tequila and mezcal collection, innovative cocktails, and a bottle wine list. Come enjoy the spirit of Mexico in an artistic, comfortable environment in Oakland’s uptown!”

– Kayak

Chop Bar

190 4th St

Chop Bar is offering a three-course prix fixe menu, with choices of some of their most delectable dishes, friendly to both vegetarians and carnivores.

“Chop Bar somehow manages to capture the best sides of Oakland effortlessly: it’s surprising, it’s homey, it’s gutsy, the crowd is diverse, and the restaurant is on trend without shoving it in your face. Dinners at Chop Bar are always bustling — particularly on warm nights when you can take advantage of the indoor-outdoor front porch — and always new and different, as the menu changes nightly (save the oxtail poutine, thank God). Watch for special events like the occasional not-to-be-missed pig roasts.”

– Thrillist

Duende

468 19th St

Duende is offering a classic dinner meal for $65 per person that includes the following items:

– 1 Ensalada de Col

– 1 Patatas Bravas

– 1 Paella

– 1 Cava Splash

– 1 Dessert

A modern and casual dining experience, a cutting-edge cocktail program, and an inviting Spanish-based wine program! Duende’s inspiration is authentic regional Spanish cuisine, but with equal parts traditional and contemporary influences.

Duende’s intense desire for creative expression results in a daily-changing menu that is dynamic and ever evolving. Offerings from the kitchen include small plates of Tapas and Pintxos, intermediate selections of Raciones, as well as gorgeous pans of Paella and Fideua, all designed to be shared among family and friends.

Jeweld Legacy Group – Carol F Burton

#065 – Today we talk to Carol F Burton, Founder of The Jeweld Legacy Group, a nonprofit consultancy based here in Oakland. The company is named after mother – Jewel. After a career in nonprofit management Carol saw an opportunity to work with nonprofits and public systems to provide support, technical assistance, resources, and show them how to partner in much more efficient ways to create more self-sufficiency.

“so that at the end of the day, our communities would look a little different, that our communities would have what they needed to do for themselves and they were not reliant on governmental agencies. And so that requires community-based organizations and grassroots organizations and faith-based organizations, advocacy organizations, and it requires the government, which is our cities and counties, to work better together so that our folks are doing better and they have the resources that they need.”

In addition to consulting with nonprofit organizations, The Jeweld Legacy Group does executive coaching, strategic planning, and they host and plan meetings around the intersection of homelessness, public safety, mental illness, substance use, incarceration and any of the other issues that impact African-American communities.

Be sure to listen to the whole interview to hear Carol talk about how using an executive coach is akin to using a coach in an athletic competition.

Links

[0:45] The company is named after my mother.
[2:19] Our communities would have what they needed to do for themselves
[8:38] We're just kind of there as facilitators
[9:10] I live in Oakland
[11:53] We don't come to the relationship thinking that we have all the answers
[16:47] You need to measure, monitor, and report and make transparent
[33:40] Executive coaching is a wonderful tool when you're trying to do something that's difficult

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

Artist & Entrepreneur – Toshia Christal

#064 – Today we talk to Toshia Christal who does not sleep – she is an artist, jewelry maker, painter, photographer, and licensed cosmetologist – a true Renaissance Woman. She is a creative person at heart and cannot be reduced to any one medium. She has a brick and mortar space at 2911 Fruitvale Ave to display all of her creative works.

Toshia was crafty as a child, but she always thought of them as hobbies. When she was injured on her job in 2008, she decided she did not want to go back to a job she did not like. It was time to turn those hobbies into a business.

“I was like, these hobbies are sustainable, right? These hobbies are my business. And so being at that disabled moment, I took the opportunity to realize that I didn’t wanna go back to the job that I was at. It was not fulfilling for me. And let me take the opportunity to officially go to school, get my cosmetology license, and become licensed. And that’s kind of how it all started rolling. Yeah, I always knew that I didn’t wanna work for the man – a nine to five system that did not really feed my soul. So it was the perfect segue into entrepreneurship.”

As an Oakland native, Toshia is proud to be an Oakland small business owner. She credits a number of grassroots organizations like Womens’ Initiative, Akoma, Black Cultural Zone, and Kiva for helping her get her start.

Be sure to listen to the whole interview to hear Toshia talk about why confidence is so key to being an entrepreneur.

Links

[1:00] I don't sleep
[2:41] I got injured on my job and was not able to work
[3:05] These hobbies are right, things. are my business
[14:36] Woman's Initiative
[16:59] Confidence
[18:02] Oakland native
[29:40] The worst thing that we can do is to not do anything

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

Harpist From The Hood – Destiny Muhammad

#063 – Today we talk to Destiny Muhammad, AKA The Harpist From The Hood. Destiny has an inspiring story. She grew up a military kid, but when her parents divorced, her mother moved with three little girls to Compton, CA. An episode of I Love Lucy inspired young Destiny to play the harp, but that was not seen as a practical choice for a family navigating the welfare system.

After graduating from high school Destiny became a barber, opening up a shop near the projects where she grew up, but then she got re-introduced to the harp.

“And for you barbers out there, you know, barbering is lucrative – LUCRATIVE. So I’m doing well and thinking this is what I’m going to do. In about 1991, I started dating a man whose best friend is a harp builder in a little town not too far from here called San Juan Batista. And in 1992, I got my first harp at the age of 30 and I started studying and eventually, I knew that I had had this dream and it was being brought back to me.”

She started taking lessons as a 30 yr old adult, playing next to children. She moved to Oakland from LA in 1997 and began playing farmers markets to gain confidence and that is where she found her name by starting a session with…

“Jack London Farmers Market needs every Sunday rain or shine from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and my name is Destiny Muhammad, and I’m your friendly neighborhood Harpist From The Hood, letting you know it is all good – here at the Jack London Farmers Market. People laughed, I mean, so it stuck.”

Stick around until the end to hear how an “inner message from God” about 6-7 months before the pandemic hit, made her start preparing before the shutdown.

Links

[0:36] Okinawa to Compton
[4:45] I became a barber right out of high school
[7:02] Farmers Market
[12:11] I had to treat every experience as though it were the big stage
[16:48] When I get applause and standing ovation, it takes my breath away
[27:09] Have an accountant who understands your industry
[30:09] Oakland is wonderful because talent here is rich talent
[37:23] Praise the Lord for the Cash app
[38:57] Don't be afraid to just get out there
[41:42] Be kind to people

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode

Star Designs by Charmeng – Charmeng Robinson

#062 – Today we talk to Charmeng Robinson, a local artist who creates handcrafted original pieces that connect with nature. Charmeng’s pieces include acrylic paintings on canvas, timekeeper, clocks, handcrafted jewelry, coaster, dominoes, and more.

Though her late father painted, Charmeng did not take it up until 2020. She taught herself via online tutorials and then lots of practice.

“I started taking some tutorials on Facebook and I met a young lady that was doing the painting. I was just admiring it and was like, ooh, I could do some of that for my family friends. And that was as far as my brain took it at that time. So I started taking notes on what to do, how to learn, how to mix the paint.”

At the beginning, Charmeng was uncomfortable calling herself an artist, but she gained confidence after her cousin displayed her art in his San Francisco barber shop, Gifted Crowns, and she started having success at pop-ups.

That led to several commissions including Sweet Fingers Jamaican restaurant in Oakland, the Oakland Roots, and becoming the sole vendor at the new Lululemon store in downtown Oakland.

Stick around til the end to hear about how Charmeng got hooked up with the Oakland Roots.

Links