G-2LCWV30QZ8 Blueprint for Growth: Treating Your Life Like a Business - TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective

Episode 226

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Published on:

25th Mar 2025

Blueprint for Growth: Treating Your Life Like a Business

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Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/Blueprint for Growth: Treating Your Life Like a Business

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In this episode of A Black Executive Perspective, hosts Tony Tidbit and Chris P. Reed sit down with Kerel Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer at GumGum and co-founder of the Minority Report Podcast. Together, they unpack the career-defining moments that shaped Kerel’s rise in the marketing world—from game-changing mentorship to the personal philosophies that guide his growth.

Kerel shares how he navigated challenges, the lessons he’s paying forward through mentorship, and why he believes treating your life like a business is key to long-term success. The conversation also dives into race, identity, and the power of community among Black professionals, offering actionable insights for anyone looking to level up—professionally and personally.

▶︎ In This Episode

00:00: Introduction and Career Advice

00:43: Welcome to the Podcast

01:21: Guest Introduction: Kerel Cooper

03:05: Kerel's Background and Family

05:18: Career Journey and Mentorship

12:06: Pivotal Moments and Personal Growth

17:39: Navigating Career Challenges

19:01: The Importance of Networking

21:30: Leadership and Mentorship

30:52: The Power of Mentorship

32:14: Mentorship in the Classroom

32:49: Mentorship Beyond Formal Meetings

33:54: A Story of Impact

36:40: The Importance of Peer Mentoring

39:03: Challenges in Networking

44:25: Overcoming Barriers to Success

47:08: Final Thoughts and Call to Action


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About the Podcast

TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective
Reshaping Leadership & Diversity in Corporate America
About the Podcast: "TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective" offers a deep dive into the corporate world through the lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by Tony Franklin, aka Tony Tidbit, this podcast shines a light on vital conversations around race, leadership, and diversity, fostering understanding and change.

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Meet Your Host: Tony Franklin has over three decades of corporate experience and provides transformative insights into diversity and inclusion, making each episode a journey of learning and empowerment.

Why You Should Listen:
- Diverse Perspectives: Insights from a variety of voices on challenges and triumphs in the corporate sphere.
-Action-Oriented: Practical advice for advocating equity and allyship in the workplace.
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What to Expect: #BEPpodcast brings powerful transformations, empowering voices, addressing barriers, and delving into topics reshaping Corporate America. It's a platform uniting diverse voices and making a significant impact.

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About your host

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Tony Franklin

Tony Franklin, the esteemed host of "TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective," is a dynamic and insightful leader with over 30 years of experience navigating the complexities of corporate America. With a career marked by leadership roles across various industries, Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the podcast. His journey is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to driving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace.

A passionate advocate for change, Tony initiated the groundbreaking "Conversations about Race" series in his workplace following the social unrest of 2020. This series laid the foundation for the podcast, offering a platform for open, honest discussions about race and the Black executive experience in corporate America. Through his engaging conversations with guests, Tony explores themes of adversity, exclusion, and implicit bias, while also highlighting the strategies that have helped break down racial barriers.

Tony's approachable style and depth of experience make him an influential voice in the DEI space. His dedication to fostering an inclusive environment is evident in each episode, where he provides actionable guidance for being a better advocate and ally. "TonyTidbit: A Black Executive Perspective" is not just a podcast; it's a movement towards a more equitable corporate landscape, led by Tony's visionary leadership and empathetic voice.