Valearie's roots run deep in Oxford, North Carolina, where both her parents were born and raised. Her parents were young, hip visionaries who decided to leave everything they knew in the South and move north during the 1950s migration. Her maternal grandparents moved to Jersey first, setting the groundwork, and her parents followed, settling in Harlem before eventually moving to the Bronx where Valarie was born in the 1960s. After two years in the Bronx, the family moved to Queens, where Valarie and her sister grew up in a close-knit community that was 99% Black, full of families who looked out for each other. Her parents were party people who loved to throw barbecues and decorate the house for every holiday, especially Christmas. Valerie remembers walking to school with neighborhood kids, taking the bus by herself, and learning to be street savvy in a city that required you to take care of yourself.

In this episode, Valarie shares how her parents enrolled her and her sister in dance classes, even though times were tight they worked hard and Dance became everything. She trained in ballet, tap, and jazz, dreaming of performing on Broadway. At just 16 years old, Valerie got her first professional job on Broadway in The Wiz, and from there, the opportunities kept coming. She worked with legends like Bob Fosse and became part of a world where she was surrounded by greatness. Valerie talks about the importance of being teachable, staying humble, and never forgetting where you came from. She reflects on playing Chippy Charlotte on The Family Business, a role that allows her to channel the strength of the women in her family who are loving caretakers but also bad asses you don't want to cross.

Valarie's story shows why legacy matters and why staying grounded is everything. She's grateful for her ancestors, her parents' vision, and the community that raised her. Now she's focused on creating projects where she can hire people, give dancers and artists opportunities, and make work that brings joy to millions. She wants to be the helping hand, to remind others to never give up, never give in, and keep going. Tune in as we witness how one woman turned her parents' sacrifice, her own talent, and a lifetime of hard work into a career that spans Broadway, television, and film.

Connect with Valarie Pettiford

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ValariePettiford/

Connect with Curtis:

Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088

More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast:

The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember.

Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message

Layne Eskridge grew up in Shakers Height, Ohio attending an all-girls private school, from preschool through 12th grade. She learned to navigate spaces where she was often the only one who looked like her. She didn't realize how much that shaped her until she moved to Los Angeles. Growing up as an only child with parents who met at The Ohio State University, Layne learned early on the power of independence, imagination, and community.

In this episode, Layne shares what it was like starting at the bottom in LA, working as an assistant for five years while her father paid her bills so she could focus on becoming excellent at her job. She moved through roles at NBC, Ellen DeGeneres Production and eventually Netflix where she worked on Ozark. She then went on to help launch Apple TV+., but she wanted to make hits that required being intentional about the stories she helped create. That's when everything shifted. Layne calls herself a product of people saying her name in rooms she wasn't in. A phone call from colleagues offering her own production company changed everything, and POV (Point of View) was born.

Layne’s story shows why keeping good people around you is everything. She didn't have one specific mentor, she had a village. From her parents to sorority sisters, to colleagues, Layne built her career on relationships, curiosity, and never taking anything for granted. Now she produces television and films for streaming platforms, working with writers, directors, and content creators to bring stories to life. With projects like Southern Bastards for Hulu and a first-look deal back at Netflix, Layne is building a slate on her own terms. Tune in as we witness how one woman turned isolation into independence, rejection into resilience, and belief into a thriving production company that honors her POINT OF VIEW.

Connect with Layne Eskridge

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layne-eskridge-a2b319121

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poventertainment/

Connect with Curtis:

Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088

More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast:

The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember.

Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message

Carl Weber’s story begins between worlds. Born in Jamaica and raised in Queens and Long Island, his early years were marked by constant shifts between cultures, expectations, and environments. Growing up, he often found himself navigating the tension of being the “smart kid” in the room while also facing the realities of racism and identity. Everything began to change when he discovered sports. Football, swimming, and track gave him a sense of direction and discipline, eventually leading him to Virginia State University where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,Inc a brotherhood that would become one of the defining chapters of his life.

In this conversation, Carl reflects on the moments that shaped him long before success ever entered the picture. From competing alongside athletes who would later become Olympic gold medalists to finding purpose through mentorship and education, he shares how the lessons learned on the field and in the classroom carried into every stage of his journey. Even unexpected experiences, including working inside Rikers Island, expanded his understanding of leadership, humility, and the power of meeting people where they are.

Carl’s story is a reminder that the path to purpose is rarely linear. The setbacks, detours, and conversations along the way often become the very things that prepare us for what comes next. Through sports, service, and storytelling, Carl shows how every chapter of life has something to teach us, especially when we are willing to stay curious, keep learning, and turn over the rocks that might reveal new opportunities.

Connect with Carl Weber

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcarlweber/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IamCarlWeber/

Connect with Curtis:

Website: https://www.uncoveredlegacy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncovered_legacy_podcast/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curtis.burke.1088

More About Uncovered Legacy Podcast:

The Uncovered Legacy Podcast is where storytelling is not just left at the kitchen table. Many of us walk through life leaving a silent legacy, but we're here to change that by keeping those stories alive. Each tale will allow us to learn, discover, listen, and remember.

Join your host, Curtis Burke, for a trip around the world, through the smallest towns, biggest cities, oldest communities, and overlooked cultures. Because no matter where you're from, your part of history deserves to be heard.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/curtis-burke/message