Most people know Madam C.J. Walker — but few know Annie Turnbo Malone, the Black entrepreneur who built a beauty empire before her.

In this episode of The Network, Dr. Sharlene Sinegal-DeCuir explains how Malone built a business from her kitchen, trained thousands of Black women, and created wealth for an entire community.

But her story also carries powerful lessons about protecting ideas, patents, business partnerships, and legacy.

If you're interested in Black history, entrepreneurship, and building generational wealth — this conversation is for you.



Subscribe to The Network Podcast for more conversations on spiritual, physical, mental, and financial wellness.



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History Quarter: The Millionaire You Were Never Taught About

In this powerful episode of The Network Podcast, Coach P sits down with Professor Michael Ayers to explore Black Liberation Theology, representation in scripture, and the sociological structures that shape identity.

Are there Blacks in the Bible?

Why were we “never meant to know”?

How does faith connect to social justice?

And is financial slavery keeping our community stuck?



This conversation bridges theology, sociology, economics, and empowerment for African Americans seeking spiritual clarity and intellectual depth.

Topics Covered:

• Blacks in the Bible

• Colonization & identity

• Dominant ideology explained

• Love thy neighbor as thyself

• Financial freedom & credit myths

• Spiritual exhaustion


📲 Follow Prof. Ayers on IG: @ThoughtfulKing

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 – Welcome to The Network: The Funky Four Foundation

1:11 – Who is Professor Michael Ayers? (Blacks in the Bible)

4:28 – Why We “Were Never Meant to Know”

8:38 – Sociology: Dominant vs Minority Groups Explained

12:41 – Colonization: Language & Religion

14:04 – Yeshua as Revolutionary

18:08 – Love Thyself First: Liberation Starts Within

21:32 – Coercive Identity Politics

30:40 – “I Don’t Want to Get Black” (Self-Perception & Colorism)

37:58 – Faith & Systemic Inequality

41:23 – Mental & Spiritual Exhaustion in Today’s Climate

44:13 – Vanity, Debt & Financial Slavery

48:26 – You Are in the Sacred Text

51:19 – Jeremiah 29:11 Testimony

1:07:18 – Financial Enslavement & Credit Score Myth

1:15:54 – Why Black Liberation Theology Is Misunderstood



Subscribe to The Network Podcast for more conversations on spiritual, physical, mental, and financial wellness.📲 Follow The Network on IG: @podcast_with_prejean

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Blacks in the Bible? The Truth They Never Taught You

Redlining didn't end in the 1960s. It reshaped neighborhoods, schools, and generational wealth. In this episode of The Network Podcast, Dr. Sharlene Sinegal-Decuir breaks down how housing discrimination created lasting inequality, and what our communities must understand to reclaim power.

Redlining Did Not End. Here's How It Still Controls Black Wealth.

Black music has always been more than entertainment—it has been education, resistance, and survival.In this episode of The Network Podcast, political scientist Dr. Najja K. Baptist breaks down how Black music teaches politics, how spirituality shapes resilience, and why silence itself is a political choice.

From church hymns to mumble rap, this conversation connects music, policy, health, money, and community through the lens of Black lived experience.If you’ve ever wondered why music feels like armor—or why history keeps repeating—this episode is for you.

📲 Follow Dr. Baptist on IG: @polarisdawg05



KEY THEMES IN THIS EPISODE:

 * Black music as political education

 * African spirituality and survival

 * Policy → environment → lived experience

 * Mumble rap as spiritual moan

 * Political atrophy in Black America

 * Community vs individualism

 * Health, stress, and rest as resistance

 * Why Black capitalism is insufficient

 * Elders, scholarship, and liberation

 * Music as memory, armor, and alarm

TIMESTAMPS

0:00–1:05 – Welcome to The Network & Funky Four Framework
1:06–2:58 – Guest Introduction: Dr. N.K. Baptist (Scholar, Author, Political Scientist)
3:00–5:40 – “Giving Flowers”: Family, Mentors, and Black Intellectual Lineage
5:41–10:00 – Church, Music, and the Formation of Black Identity
10:01–14:30 – Black Spirituality as Survival, Not Symbolism
14:31–18:00 – Mumble Rap, the Moan, and African Spiritual Expression
18:01–22:30 – Black Music as Political Education
22:31–26:00 – Music as Memory, Armor, and Political Transmission
26:01–30:00 – Policy Creates Environments → Environments Create Experience
30:01–34:30 – Poverty, Education, and Political Accountability
34:31–40:30 – Why History “Stutters” and Music Wakes Us Up
40:31–45:30 – Artists, Community Responsibility, and Political Will
45:31–50:00 – Elders, Scholarship, and Liberation Work
50:01–56:00 – Health, Stress, Rest, and Black Survival
56:01–1:00:40 – Political Atrophy & the Cost of Silence
1:00:41–1:06:30 – Money, Policy, and Why Black Capitalism Won’t Save Us
1:06:31–End – Community, Fear, and Rebuilding Together

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Policy, Music, and Survival: Why Black America Can't Afford Silence

In this episode of The Network Podcast, Devyn Calton of Lyles Styles breaks down how hair can be tied to identity and self-esteem, why education is the real “luxury” in hair care (hello, porosity test), and what mentorship and spiritual grounding look like in entrepreneurship.

Natural Hair, Mentorship, and Healing the Relationship With Our Hair | Devyn (Lyles Styles) Calton

In this episode, we break down the 1994 Crime Bill—what it funded, how sentencing incentives expanded incarceration, and why its impact still shows up in communities today.

Dr. Sharlene Sinegal DeCuir (XULA) explains the policy mechanics (policing, prisons, truth-in-sentencing) and connects them to real outcomes—plus a powerful metaphor you won’t forget.📲 Follow Dr. Decuir on IG: @dr.sinegaldecuirKEY TOPICS:

 * 100,000 police officers,
 * prison funding
 * three strikes
 * truth-in-sentencing,
 * crack vs cocaine sentencing,
 * war on drugs,
 * community-based solutions

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00–0:33 Cold open: “The Network” + Funky Four setup
0:33–1:05 Hook: Jay-Z bar + “94 Crime Bill is one”
1:05–1:55 Guest intro: Dr. Charlene Sagal DeCuir (XULA) + “funkiest 15 minutes”
1:55–3:32 “Flowers” segment: Black love + gratitude riff
3:38–4:27 What the 1994 Crime Bill was + why it mattered
4:29–5:13 Police funding + prison funding + privatization critique
5:14–6:22 Three strikes, truth-in-sentencing, death penalty expansion; VAWA mention
6:39–8:06 Nixon/War on Drugs context + opioid double standard (high engagement)
8:17–9:47 Stats + crack vs cocaine sentencing disparity + voting rights point
9:50–10:22 “Bleach” metaphor + host reaction (peak shareable moment)
10:32–11:49 Policy frameworks: rebuilding community, knowing the facts
11:50–13:21 “Either/Or” game (fast pacing, clip-friendly)
13:38–14:38 Prescription: “Know your rights…” + full CTA outroSubscribe for more episodes that feed your spiritual, physical, mental, and financial growth — the Funky Four Corners of Life.



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History Quarter | The 94 Crime Bill Explained: Mass Incarceration, Policing, & the "Bleach" Metaphor

What do you do when you’ve been waiting on God for years—and nothing has changed?

In this powerful episode of The Network, Michael Prejean sits down with Pastor Braxton Halliburton to unpack faith, obedience, burnout, rest, and God’s timing.

From the Pool of Bethesda to modern hustle culture, this conversation speaks directly to anyone feeling stuck, frustrated, or spiritually tired.

📲 Follow Pastor Braxton Halliburton on IG: @pastorbraxton📘 Grace in Every Season is available now on Amazon.

TIMESTAMPS:

 * 0:00: Welcome to The Network
 * 1:12: Introducing Pastor Braxton Halliburton
 * 2:21: Giving Flowers While They Can Smell Them
 * 3:39: Running From the Call vs. Walking in Purpose
 * 6:26: What’s Most Fulfilling About Pastoral Ministry
 * 8:13: Writing Grace in Every Season
 * 9:21: Waiting, Doubt, and the Pool of Bethesda
 * 11:00: “Your Deliverance Wasn’t Even Born Yet”
 * 12:44: Why vs. What: A Shift in Perspective
 * 14:47: Keep Showing Up (Faith in the Waiting)
 * 21:10: Track & Field Analogy for God’s Timing
 * 26:38: Physical Health, Rest, and Burnout Culture
 * 30:30: Guilt About Rest
 * 36:12: Processing Emotions in Real Time
 * 40:46: Financial Stewardship in Ministry
 * 46:51: Advice for Young Families
 * 49:35: Rapid Fire (Either/Or, Agree/Disagree)
 * 53:08: “Your Kids Are Watching You”
 * 54:03: Good Medicine
 * 55:19: You Didn’t Ask (Final Advice)
 * 57:35" Final CTA + Make Love the Culture

Subscribe for more episodes that feed your spiritual, physical, mental, and financial growth — the Funky Four Corners of Life.



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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Subscribe to The Network." You never know — you might need it."

You Can't Outrun God: Faith, Waiting, and Purpose | Pastor Braxton Halliburton

In this powerful episode of The Network with Michael Prejean, clinical psychologist and Xavier University Department Chair Dr. Brian L. Turner unpacks the pressures, narratives, and spiritual/mental battles facing Black men today.

📲 Follow Dr. Turner on IG: @nojagr504

We explore:
• Why Black men “wear masks” to survive
• How misinformation & narratives shape our community
• Why adults struggle with conflict resolution
• The crisis of confidence in our youth
• Healthy mirrors, identity development & emotional truth
• The Funky Four: Spiritual • Mental • Physical • Financial pillars

This episode is a blueprint for healing, empowerment, and community transformation.

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro – The Network Mission + Dr. Turner’s Bio

01:38 Flowers – Pouring Into the Next Generation

04:30 Legacy, Time & Family

07:29 Narratives About Black Fathers

12:30 Why Adults Fear Confrontation

17:00 Liability, Fear & Mentorship Disappearing

23:13 The Remedy: Education & Critical Thinking

26:00 Identity Pressures for Black Men in College

33:06 Why Black Men Wear Masks

38:48 Confrontation, Sit-Down Culture & Emotional Intelligence

44:04 Why Kids Need Debate & Argument Skills

47:36 Funky Four Corner – Spirituality

52:19 Funky Four – Mental & Emotional Health

59:06 Funky Four – Physical & Financial Truths

Subscribe for more episodes that feed your spiritual, physical, mental, and financial growth — the Funky Four Corners of Life.

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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube



Subscribe to The Network." You never know — you might need it."

🔥 The Crisis of Identity: What Black Men Are Really Facing Today | EP 72 Dr. Brian L. Turner

On this episode of The Network with Michael Prejean, CEO and CEV Collection co-founder Jamal Robinson breaks down the journey from customizing sunglasses in a dorm room… to scaling a national eyewear brand in 750+ stores.


This episode blends entrepreneurship, spiritual grounding, leadership development, and community impact — the exact blueprint our culture needs.

You’ll learn:
• The 3 pillars of the Clear Eye View philosophy
• How to overcome fear, failure, and self-doubt
• Why every level of growth requires a new version of you
• How to read financial statements like a real CEO
• The importance of planting seeds in our youth
• How spiritual + physical discipline fuel success

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Intro / “Get Your Money Black Man” Opener
01:00 – Introducing Jamal Robinson & CEV Collection
02:50 – Giving Flowers: Wife, Family, Mentors
04:30 – Fort Wayne Roots & Early Creativity
06:10 – College Journey, Networking, & Eyewear Origins
08:00 – Launching CEV Collection: 750 Stores Nationwide
10:40 – The Meaning of Clear Eye View (Focused Vision Pillars)
13:30 – Jalen Smith’s Injury, Comeback, and Brand Philosophy
15:00 – Spiritual Corner: Trust in the Lord
18:00 – Physical Corner: Your Body Is a Temple
20:00 – Marathon Mindset, Discipline, Rest & Meditation
25:00 – Mental Corner: Each Level Requires a New You
28:00 – Leadership & the EOS (Traction) System
33:00 – Financial Corner: Learning the Language of Money
42:00 – Believe in a Dream: Serving 750–1000 Youth
47:00 – Bamboo Season: Seeds, Roots & Harvest
48:30 – Either/Or Round
50:00 – Agree/Disagree Round
51:00 – Superpower: Time Travel
52:10 – Good Medicine Segment
55:00 – You Didn’t Ask (Ace vs. Jack Wisdom)
59:30 – Closing Message & Make Love the Culture

Tap in — this one is a masterclass.

Subscribe for more episodes that feed your spiritual, physical, mental, and financial growth — the Funky Four Corners of Life.

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🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Subscribe to The Network." You never know — you might need it."

Focused Vision: From Dorm Room to 750 Stores | The CEV Collection Story with Jamal Robinson

In this powerful episode of The Network with Michael Prejean, Coach P sits down with higher-education executive, author, and HBCU culture-builder Kyle Adams.

From the untold legacy of the 1982 Cheney State Lady Wolves, to the spiritual grounding of leadership, to preparing young Black men to respect and champion Black women — this conversation is a masterclass in coaching, culture, and purpose.

We explore the Funky Four Corners: Spiritual • Mental • Physical • Financial, plus Kyle’s five-year journey to get Cheney their rightful place in the Hall of Fame.

If you lead, coach, teach, or serve — this episode will sharpen your purpose and strengthen your voice.

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Cold Open
00:26 – Magnolia Story
01:04 – Welcome to The Network
01:17 – Today’s Guest: Kyle Adams
02:07 – “This is The Network — not the Co-Op”
02:20 – Where to Find Kyle Online
03:30 – Book + Podcast + Medium Page Overview
04:34 – Giving Flowers: Brother Tiller
06:18 – Kyle Has Visited 50+ HBCUs
06:41 – The #1 Misconception About HBCU Culture
07:17 – Why HBCUs Matter in America
08:02 – Resource Scarcity vs Cultural Scarcity
08:25 – Sit-in Movements & Civil Rights Roots
09:25 – Generational Elevation Through HBCUs
10:04 – Professors Who Called Out Greatness
11:34 – Dr. Reginald Rackley: “You’re Better Than This.”
14:06 – The Legacy of the 1982 Cheney Lady Wolves
17:45 – Kyle’s 5-Year Fight to Get Them Recognized
20:51 – Preparing Men to Value Black Women’s Leadership
21:02 – “Men Are Visitors in Women’s Basketball”
27:46 – Spiritual Corner: Leadership as Stewardship
30:48 – Best Spiritual Advice Ever Received
32:47 – Mental Corner: Safe Spaces, Therapy & Courage
35:55 – Coaches’ Mental Health Struggles
41:04 – Mid-Roll CTA / Episode Reset
42:40 – Physical Corner: Your Body Is Your First Team
44:51 – Rest, Hydration & Phone Discipline
48:32 – Aging Well: Stretching, Yoga & Longevity
55:58 – Financial Corner: Value + Pricing Your Time
57:26 – Prayer, Purpose & Fried Chicken Story
58:26 – Best Financial Advice Ever
59:57 – Time Respect & Showing Up Early
1:00:34 – Superpower Game: Kyle Chooses Time Travel
1:03:22 – Dinner With 3 Ancestors
1:04:20 – Leadership Ancestors Kyle Would Study
1:19:18 – Serena Williams Back to School? (Light Segment)
1:20:09 – Final Segments Setup
1:20:39 – Good Medicine: Books + Resources
1:21:12 – Leadership Challenge (Cheat Code)
1:21:40 – Documentary Recommendation: Amend
1:22:46 – Earl Nightingale: The Strangest Secret
1:23:26 – A Shelter in a Time of Storm
1:24:11 – Leadership Capacity (Deepening)
1:25:37 – Personal Development Routines
1:26:02 – Strangest Secret (Reinforced)
1:27:05 – A Shelter in a Time of Storm (Deep Dive)
1:27:44 – Episode CloseSubscribe for more episodes that feed your spiritual, physical, mental, and financial growth — the Funky Four Corners of Life.

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Subscribe to The Netwo

Why HBCUs Still Matter | Kyle Adams on Leadership, Legacy & Building Black Excellence

Welcome to "The Network," our attempt at creating a modern, podcast of the The Negro Motorist Green Book. With each interview, we are building a network of talented professionals that you can reach out and touch. Every episode is designed to help the physical, mental, spiritual and financial health of black people living in and traveling through America. Subscribe to “The Network,” you may need it.

Michael Prejean

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