Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club
Episode: INTERVIEW: Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon Talks 'No One Is Self-Made,' Divine Alignment, State Of The People Power Tour + More
Release Date: April 30, 2025
Host: Charlamagne Tha God, Jess Hilarious, DJ Envy, Lauren LaRosa
Guest: Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon
1. Introduction of Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon and Her Book
The episode kicks off with hosts Charlamagne Tha God and Lauren LaRosa welcoming Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon to the show. Dr. Hallmon introduces her new book, No One Is Self Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life, emphasizing the central theme that success is a collective effort rather than an individual achievement.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [01:54]: "All of us who are sitting here today, entrepreneurs across the country, anyone that we've lifted up, even the people that we don't know, there has been a village of people that's supporting them."
2. Debunking the "Self-Made" Myth
Dr. Hallmon delves into the pervasive myth of being "self-made," arguing that attributing success solely to individual effort erases the crucial support systems that contribute to one's achievements.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [05:51]: "Self determination and self made are different. Self determination means all the work that you've done... what really propels us forward is all the people that saw something in you."
3. The Importance of Community and Building a Village
Emphasizing community, Dr. Hallmon discusses how fostering a supportive network is essential for both personal and professional growth. She highlights the need to return to collective values to thrive.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [02:20]: "It's time to return and get back to our togetherness and figure out how to work together, how to be tethered and to the place where we say that no one is going to separate us from our bigger purpose in doing good work together."
4. Divine Alignment and Discovering Purpose
The conversation shifts to the concept of divine alignment—aligning one's actions and opportunities with their true purpose. Dr. Hallmon shares personal anecdotes illustrating how being in alignment attracts the right people and opportunities.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [11:17]: "That is divine alignment. The only how we operate in that space is saying yes to the things that we're meant to be."
5. Building Village Market and Village United
Dr. Hallmon elaborates on her initiatives, Village Market and Our Village United, which support black entrepreneurs by providing resources, technical assistance, and a platform to showcase their businesses.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [32:24]: "Our Village United... we're working with entrepreneurs across the country to make sure that they have a village. We have some of the top entrepreneurs coming to teach classes... we've deployed about $800,000 in grants."
6. Support and Village Verbs
Introducing "Village Verbs," actionable steps outlined in her book, Dr. Hallmon encourages listeners to engage in community-building activities such as voting, buying local, and supporting black businesses.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [24:40]: "Village Verbs is making sure that we participate in the voting process... we are putting love in action."
7. Mental Health and Entrepreneurial Burnout
Addressing the 72% of entrepreneurs struggling with mental health issues, Dr. Hallmon discusses strategies to combat burnout, including delegation, self-care, and integrating mental health support within entrepreneurial programs.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [27:13]: "Burnout is real. Even when you have a village... we have therapists on board, we have coaches on board to help entrepreneurs with their mental health."
8. State of the People Power Tour and Community Engagement
Dr. Hallmon shares insights from the State of the People Power Tour, highlighting community service projects and rallies aimed at empowering individuals and fostering collective action.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [29:19]: "When State of the People comes to other cities, it's the village. Intentional people decided to gather and make sure that a room is comprised of people that can give resources, hope, and direction."
9. Conclusion and Where to Find Dr. Hallmon
As the episode wraps up, Dr. Hallmon provides information on how listeners can access her book and engage with her initiatives. She emphasizes the importance of community support and invites listeners to join her mission of building collective success.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon [35:14]: "You can find me at Dr.Keyhallman.com. The book is available at No.1aselfmade.com and all major retailers. By the time you finish the book, you have a whole plan on how to map out and build community."
Key Takeaways:
- Collective Success: Success is a product of community support, not just individual effort.
- Divine Alignment: Aligning actions with one's true purpose attracts the right opportunities and support systems.
- Building a Village: Initiatives like Village Market and Our Village United provide essential resources for black entrepreneurs.
- Actionable Community Support: "Village Verbs" outlines practical steps listeners can take to support their communities.
- Mental Health Matters: Addressing burnout and mental health is crucial for sustainable entrepreneurial success.
- Empowerment Through Action: Community engagement initiatives like the State of the People Power Tour foster empowerment and collective action.
This episode serves as a compelling reminder of the importance of community, support systems, and intentional action in achieving both personal and collective success.
