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.

What does it take to build a thriving business while overcoming adversity, navigating market shifts, and staying committed to your vision?

On this episode of The Bloc Power Hour with Sarah Harris, serial entrepreneur, author, and Strategic Business Advisor Ronda Jackson shares her remarkable entrepreneurial journey and offers practical strategies for business growth.

Drawing from her upcoming Black Business Association workshop, Stay the Course™: From Invisible to Unstoppable, Ronda discusses how entrepreneurs can strengthen their visibility, clarify their value proposition, identify growth opportunities, and create actionable roadmaps for success.

Listeners will also hear about Ronda's work through In the Mix, her advocacy for small businesses, and her commitment to workforce development and community empowerment.

Whether you're launching a new venture or looking to take your business to the next level, this episode delivers inspiration and actionable insights to help you stay the course.

Key Topics:

• Entrepreneurship and resilience
• Business visibility and growth strategies
• Marketing and business development
• Small business advocacy
• Workforce development
• Community impact
• Leadership and perseverance

Guest:

Ronda Jackson, CID
Founder & CEO, In the Mix, Inc. and Studio D Contract Finishes
Strategic Business Advisor | Award-Winning Entrepreneur | Author

Connect:

Website/Links: linktr.ee/missrondajackson
Instagram: @missrondajackson_

In celebration of Black Music Month, Sarah Harris sits down with Clifton Moseley, Founder and Producer of the award-nominated We Luvv Rare Grooves podcast, for a conversation about music, media, culture, and legacy.

For more than a decade, Clifton has preserved the stories behind some of music's most beloved artists through thoughtful interviews and authentic storytelling. From George Benson and Dionne Warwick to The Whispers and Con Funk Shun, We Luvv Rare Grooves has become a trusted archive celebrating the people behind the soundtrack of our lives.

Sarah and Clifton discuss the importance of preserving Black music history, the evolution of podcasting and media, artist ownership, the business side of music, and Clifton's current production projects. They also explore why these stories matter and how future generations can continue protecting and celebrating Black musical excellence.

Key Topics

• Black Music Month
• Music preservation and legacy
• We Luvv Rare Grooves podcast
• The stories behind classic songs
• The business of music
• Podcasting and media evolution
• Artist ownership and intellectual property
• Music journalism and storytelling
• Black cultural preservation
• Current creative and production projects

Guest Bio

Clifton Moseley is the Founder, Producer, and Co-Host of We Luvv Rare Grooves, the award-nominated music podcast celebrating its 10th anniversary. A native of Pittsburgh's historic Hill District, Clifton has dedicated the last decade to preserving music history through conversations with legendary artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers. His platform has featured icons including George Benson, Dionne Warwick, Marcus Miller, Melba Moore, The Whispers, Con Funk Shun, Gerald Albright, Karyn White, and many others. Through authentic storytelling and artist appreciation, Clifton continues to celebrate and preserve the legacy of Black music for future generations.

Call to Action

Listen to past episodes of We Luvv Rare Grooves and continue supporting platforms that preserve the rich legacy of Black music and culture.

Follow @BlocPowerHour and subscribe to The Bloc Power Hour with Sarah Harris wherever you listen to podcasts.