What happens when hospitality becomes a vehicle for community investment, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment?

On this episode of The Bloc Power Hour, host Sarah R. Harris welcomes the founding team behind The Redline Venice—a Black-owned boutique hotel that's redefining what it means to build a business with purpose.

Founders Kamau Coleman, Michael McClinton, Sophea Samreth, and Destinee Sales discuss the inspiration behind the hotel's powerful name, the history of redlining that shaped American communities, and how they're transforming that legacy into one of ownership, storytelling, and opportunity.

The conversation explores entrepreneurship, real estate development, hospitality, community-centered design, and their innovative cooperative fundraising campaign that allows supporters to participate in the company's continued growth.

Listeners will also hear practical insights on building complementary leadership teams, raising capital outside traditional channels, preserving neighborhood identity, and creating businesses that generate lasting community impact.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, hospitality professional, or simply passionate about economic development, this episode offers a compelling look at how business can honor the past while building a more inclusive future.

Topics Covered

• The story behind The Redline Venice
• Black ownership in the hospitality industry
• Real estate development and entrepreneurship
• Culture-driven hospitality
• Cooperative fundraising and community investment
• Building generational wealth
• Preserving neighborhood history
• Leadership and partnership
• Business growth and scaling
• The future of The Redline Hotel Group

The Redline Hotel Group Team

Kamau Coleman

Founder & CEO

Coleman is a real estate developer and strategist with 15 years of experience in hospitality and operations. He drives the Redline's growth, capital formation, and national rollout.

Michael Clinton

Founder & Principal

Clinton is a real estate acquisitions and development executive with investment banking roots. His role includes sourcing and structuring boutique hotel deals. He also owns and operates two additional high-performing properties.

Sophea Samreth

Founder & Creative Director

Samreth is a designer with 20 years of experience in brand and interior design. She is the vision behind the Redline's immersive "museum-hotel" experience that drives premium ADR and customer loyalty.

Destinee Sales

Founder & Director of Guest Experience

Sales is a hospitality professional with a special focus on luxury guest experiences. She ensures authentic, high-touch service and cultural programming and partnerships across all Redline properties.

Call to Action

Learn more about The Redline Hotel Group, explore their cooperative investment campaign, and discover how culture, hospitality, and entrepreneurship can come together to create lasting community impact.

Visit https://www.theredlinevenice.com or follow @theredlinehotelgroup

To learn more about the Black Business Association and its programs supporting business growth, procurement readiness, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, visit bbala.org.

Follow @blackbusinessassociation and @blocpowerhour for upcoming episodes, business resources, and community initiatives.

Subscribe to The Bloc Power Hour with Sarah Harris wherever you listen to podcasts.

What does it really take to compete for business opportunities surrounding one of the world's largest sporting events?

On this episode of The Bloc Power Hour, host Sarah Harris welcomes four accomplished Black Business Association (BBA) member businesses that have been conditionally accepted into the Super Bowl LXI Source Program, a regional procurement initiative designed to connect event-ready local suppliers with contracting opportunities related to Super Bowl LXI in Los Angeles.

Joining the conversation are:

• Bianca Vobecky, Founder & President, Vobecky Enterprises
• Paula Bond, Executive Producer, First Option Entertainment & Film Works
• Taniya Luckett, CEO, Trutech Logistics
• Ginger Campbell, CEO, SNAP Productions, Inc.

Together, they discuss their entrepreneurial journeys, what it means to prepare for opportunities of this scale, and how strategic planning, operational excellence, and relationship building position businesses for long-term growth.

Sarah also shares insight into her role on the Super Bowl LXI Source Advisory Council and the Black Business Association's commitment to helping businesses become procurement-ready through education, partnerships, and business development initiatives.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, supplier, or business leader, this episode offers valuable lessons on positioning your company for opportunities that extend far beyond a single event.

Episode Highlights

• Understanding the Super Bowl LXI Source Program
• The value of becoming an event-ready supplier
• Lessons from four accomplished entrepreneurs
• Building relationships that create future opportunities
• Supplier readiness and business growth strategies
• How the BBA supports procurement readiness
• Why preparation matters even when contracts are not guaranteed
• Turning visibility into long-term business success

Guest Bios

Bianca Vobecky

Founder & President of Vobecky Enterprises, Bianca Vobecky leads an award-winning certified woman-owned company specializing in construction services, logistics, nationwide trucking, event operations, and infrastructure support. Her company has supported multiple Super Bowls, major infrastructure projects, and nationally recognized public and private sector clients.

Paula Bond

Paula Bond is Executive Producer of First Option Entertainment & Film Works, bringing decades of experience in television, live event production, entertainment, nonprofit leadership, and media production. She is also founder of Know Better to Do Better, a nonprofit empowering young women through leadership development.

Taniya Luckett

Taniya Luckett is CEO of Trutech Logistics, a rapidly growing transportation company and Amazon Delivery Service Partner. Her leadership has created hundreds of jobs while expanding opportunities in logistics, transportation, and workforce development throughout Southern California.

Ginger Campbell

Ginger Campbell is CEO of SNAP Productions, Inc., a nationally respected communications, branding, public relations, and event production firm. With more than three decades of experience, she has produced campaigns and events for leading corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, and major entertainment organizations.

Call to Action

To learn more about the Black Business Association and its programs supporting business growth, procurement readiness, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, visit bbala.org.

Follow @blackbusinessassociation and @blocpowerhour for upcoming episodes, business resources, and community initiatives.

Subscribe to The Bloc Power Hour with Sarah Harris wherever you listen to podcasts.

On this episode of The Bloc Power Hour with Sarah Harris, we welcome California State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, Chair of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee and representative of California’s 28th Senate District.

Senator Smallwood-Cuevas has dedicated her career to advancing worker protections, economic justice, and equitable opportunity. From her leadership in the Justice for Janitors movement to co-founding the Los Angeles Black Worker Center and serving in the California State Senate, she has remained committed to uplifting working families and historically underserved communities.

Sarah and Senator Smallwood-Cuevas discuss the future of work, artificial intelligence, workforce development, small business readiness, LA28 procurement opportunities, the Historic South LA Black Cultural District, America’s 250th anniversary, and how California can ensure that communities are prepared to participate in and benefit from the next era of economic growth.