Today’s guest is Chevonne Harris — Founder and CEO of ThriveIN, a social enterprise equipping Black Gen Z and millennial women with the tools, networks, and access they need to thrive in the workplace and beyond.

She’s also the Associate Vice President of Strategy at Ologie, a nationally published journalist with bylines in Teen Vogue, EBONY, Esquire, The Root, and HuffPost, and she served in the United States White House Executive Office of the Vice President.

Today we’re talking power, proximity, positioning — and what it really means to build something that creates access for others.

What's up, Ballers! Welcome to the first episode of The NxtUp Ballers Podcast — where we spotlight those who are building something bigger than themselves. The ones turning their hustle and purpose into legacy impact. Today, we’ve got one of those voices in the building — A Columbus native, public servant, and community-builder who’s been putting in real work to make sure our neighborhoods get the love, investment, and opportunity they deserve. Today we will be talking to none other than Councilmember Nick Bankston. We will be discussing Nick’s journey ‘From Neighborhood Roots to Citywide Impact.’

Today’s episode is all about entrepreneurship, ownership, and building something that lasts. I’m joined by the founders of HigherView Tax Services — Michael Bannerman and Julius Ruffin. These are two leaders who didn’t just start a business… they built a system. One that creates opportunity, jobs, and generational impact. Today we are talking growth, legacy, and what it really takes to build something from the ground up.

What does it really mean to build a lasting legacy?

In this episode, Coach Tim Brown and Karmen Brown share how faith, family, and consistency turned a small gap in girls’ basketball into a community-centered movement. Rooted in Christian leadership and purpose-driven coaching, their journey reveals how everyday actions—not spotlights—create long-term impact.

We explore the origins of the TAKE mindset (Talented Athletes and Artists competing with excellence), the mentors who shaped their leadership philosophy, and the unexpected COVID-era spark that launched the Be A Baller Podcast. From learning on the fly to persevering through slow growth, the Browns speak honestly about leadership, parenting, and vision-based decision-making.

You’ll hear how legacy shows up years later—when former players repeat lessons learned or when children use their gifts to serve others. The episode closes with two actionable challenges to help listeners create momentum this week: connect with someone wise and lead with intentional words.

If you’re passionate about leadership, faith, youth development, sports culture, or building a legacy that outlives titles, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

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