RISE Urban Nation

Keith Wattley, attorney, Obama Foundation Fellow, and Founder & Executive Director of UnCommon Law, joins RISE Urban Nation to discuss criminal justice reform, second chances, and the humanity of incarcerated people serving life sentences.

With more than 25 years of experience advocating for people in prison and on parole, Keith shares how healing-centered and trauma-informed legal advocacy can create pathways for accountability, transformation, and safe reentry into society. This powerful conversation explores redemption, storytelling, parole reform, and why some of the people society finds hardest to defend are often those most in need of hope and healing.

About Keith Wattley

Keith Wattley is the Founder and Executive Director of UnCommon Law. He has spent more than two decades advocating for the rights of incarcerated people and those on parole.

His work focuses on helping individuals demonstrate personal transformation and successfully navigate California’s parole process. In addition to individual advocacy, Keith has trained hundreds of attorneys and law students and has led efforts to improve prison and parole conditions through impact litigation.

Keith was selected as an inaugural Obama Foundation Fellow in 2018 and received the James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award in 2020.

Resources & Mentions

🌐 Website
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/

👤 Keith Wattley
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/keith-wattley

📱 Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/uncommonlawyer/

📘 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/UnCommonLaw/

💼 LinkedIn (Organization)
https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncommon-law/

💼 LinkedIn (Keith Wattley)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-wattley-44050034/

📺 YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8K93TWilSZeD8QYVp20Kiw

📧 Email
kwattley@uncommonlaw.org

Celebrating 20 Years of UnCommon Law

Learn more about UnCommon Law’s 20th Anniversary storytelling and event series, including:

• Film screenings
• Educational webinars
• Community conversations
• Annual conference

🔗 20th Anniversary Page
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/20th-anniversary

Call for Speakers

UnCommon Law is currently accepting proposals from mission-driven leaders and organizations interested in presenting at the 20th Anniversary Conference.

Proposal Deadline: June 15

🔗 Submit a Proposal
https://www.uncommonlaw.org/20th-conference

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons
Guest: Keith Wattley
Music: Will Maker
Production: RISE Urban Nation Media

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

Mo Cisse, founder and CEO of Meraki Allure, joins RISE Urban Nation to share his journey of building a sustainable luxury fashion brand that prioritizes quality, purpose, and environmental responsibility. In an industry driven by fast fashion, Mo chose a different path—focusing on made-to-order clothing, ethical manufacturing, and environmental impact. This episode dives into entrepreneurship, sustainability, and how to build a brand that reflects your values while creating lasting change.

Resources & Mentions

🌐 Website: https://www.MerakiAllure.com
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merakiallure/
🌱 Environmental Partner: https://www.edenproject.com/mission

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons

Guest: Mo Cisse

Music: Will Maker

Production: RISE Urban Nation

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

What happens when efficiency meets effectiveness? Melody Shari built Seventh Avenue Beauty for women on the go—creating skincare and beauty products that deliver results with minimal time. In this episode, learn how Melody leveraged authentic marketing, community connection, and product clarity to expand across skincare, body, haircare, kids, cosmetics, and apparel—without losing balance or purpose.

MELODY SHARI RODGERS

Dr. Melody Shari Rodgers is a multi-millionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist who has continued to establish a large national fan base in the millions due to her style, resilience, vibrant personality, and her prowess in business, fashion, beauty and real estate. As a star on the popular show Love & Marriage: Huntsville, the mother of four has taken people through her journey and challenges, showing how she has overcome life's obstacles to emerge bigger and better. A woman who is always inspired to action, Melody is currently teaching master classes in real estate and business, making her mark in fashion through her electric women's collection with celebrity stylist J. Bolin, trending in the beauty industry with her skin care line Seventh Avenue Beauty. In March, Melody was honored at the inaugural Goli Gala hosted by Goli Nutrition and TikTok for "Best Celebrity Shoppable Live." Additionally, she recently became the first Reality TV star to have ownership in a Network, with the launch of Nubian TV, and she won the Silver Award for Best Reality Series at the 46th Annual Telly Awards for the show Charnita's World. 

Melody prides herself on effectively leveraging the power of relationships, and coupling that with her fierce drive, work ethic, and desire to make an impact in the lives of others. She serves as the chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce in her hometown, and is an advisor to the College of Business and Public Affairs at her alma mater, Alabama A&M University. As a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Melody fully embraces the call to excellence, and exemplifies what it means to truly be a servant leader.
 

Website: https://seventhavenuebeauty.net/

Instagram:https://seventhavenuebeauty.net/

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@melodyshari11

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@seventhavenuebeauty

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

Phillip Hogan, CEO of Signing Services of America and author of Relentless Excellence, returns to RISE Urban Nation to share powerful insights on building a marketing strategy that drives real connection and results. This episode explores entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership, and how to turn life’s toughest challenges into a foundation for lasting success.

Resources & Mentions

🌐 Website: https://www.philliphogan.com

📘 Book: Relentless Excellence

🎙️ Podcast: Closing Market Weekly

Episode Contributors

Host: Taryell Simmons

Guest: Phillip Hogan

Music: Will Maker

Production: RISE Urban Nation

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥

OUR KINGS was born from grief, fear, and love — and grew into a movement. In this episode of RISE Urban Nation, Anya Owensbrown shares the powerful story behind OUR KINGS, a nonprofit dedicated to nurturing the brilliance of Black boys and supporting the families raising them. From Mommy & King to Kings to Kings, this conversation explores community, belonging, identity, and what it truly means to raise Kings in today’s world.

Anya bio: 

I’m Anya Owensbrown — an early childhood educator, a mom of five, and the founder of OUR KINGS. This work started from something real: looking at my own sons and realizing the world didn’t always see them the way I do. I noticed there was a gap — no one was pouring into our boys early, during those critical years from birth to 13.

So I created OUR KINGS.

We celebrate, support, and uplift Black boys from the beginning. We build a village around them — one that shows them they’re worthy of joy, protection, and a strong foundation. We do this by partnering with schools and community organizations, running in-school programs, and offering yearly membership options that keep our boys connected, engaged, and growing, building a strong brotherhood and an united village.

And when we say KINGS, we mean it: Kind, Intelligent, Noble, Gifted Sons of Queens and Kings. THAT’S WHO THEY ARE— and that’s how we treat them.

Because I’m a mother, I understand how important it is to have a village, so we have created a just that by supporting families by giving them the tools and knowledge to advocate for their sons — especially when navigating health care, the education system, or the justice system. Because strong boys need strong support, and no parent should have to figure it out alone.

This isn’t just a nonprofit — it’s a movement grounded in love and built for real impact. We start young, stay consistent, and never let them forget how powerful they are. That Black boy joy is real and they deserve every bit of it

Media: 

• Website: Ourkings.org 
• Instagram: ourkingsanonprofit 
• TikTok: ourkingsanonprofit 
• Facebook: OUR KINGS 
• email: anya@ourkings.org (inquiries sponsorships )
• Info@ourkings.org ( volunteer, collaborations, partnership opportunities) 
• BBJOY to 53555 to donate 

Resources & Links:

🌐 Website: https://ourkings.org

📧 Contact: anya@ourkings.org

Credits:

Host: Taryell Simmons

Guest: Anya Owensbrown

Music: Will Maker

Production: RISE Urban Nation

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to the RISE Urban Nation Podcast—where we amplify Black and Pan-African voices, stories, and strategies shaping the future of business and culture.

If this episode inspired you, make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Stay Connected:
🌐 RISEUrbanNation.com
📲 Instagram: @RiseUrbanNation
🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to RISE Urban Nation
🔗 Linktree: All Links

Unite. Uplift. Ignite. 🔥