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the
first
gems

a safe space for first-generation millenials to unite, discover, heal, and share their experiences

about us

culture | community | the come-up

For the TLDR: We're four, first-gen millennials who drop gems while keeping it real. However, this doesn't really do our story justice. We're more than just 4 cousins who decided to create a podcast...it's a whole lot deeper than that.

 

Read more for the who, what, when, where and why we created the first gems brand.

About
culture

It's hard to talk about The First Gems without first mentioning culture. Culture helps shape your identity and experiences. (S/O to Abiriba, Nigeria🇳🇬!) It all started with one overdue trip back to our homeland that sparked our interest in sharing the stories of natives and brainstorming initiatives aimed to improve life for our people back home. We thought, "if we feel inspired to elevate our community, there must be other first-gen millennials who feel inspired to do the same"! Together, we explore the intricacies of various cultural traditions, mindsets, and beliefs that shape the first-generation experience.

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community

From cousins to sisters. We've established a bond and a sense of community amongst ourselves through our strong sisterhood. It's rare that you find a group of cousins who get along, support each other, have a lot in common, and constantly motivate each other to be better. We felt lucky to have each other to relate to and drop gems on how to navigate life from a first-gen lens. This opened our eyes to the power of community and a need to connect other first-gens of diverse backgrounds with each other. 

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the come-up

As always, we dream BIG and aim HIGH. the first gems doesn't stop at the podcast. It doesn't stop at sharing stories on social. Our mission is bigger than that. We inspire our fellow community of first-gens to embrace who they are, give back and go after their dreams.

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Podcast

Why tune in?

This is not your average podcast experience.

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First Gens. Dropping Gems.

Think of it as an intimate convo with your favorite homegirls.

 

We leveled up our game for Season 3 and we can't wait to share these inspiring stories with you.  

Tap in below to check it out!

Available on:

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Watch Video
The Ultimate Glow-Up: Career, Confidence & Designing Your Best Life with Jodie Taylor

The Ultimate Glow-Up: Career, Confidence & Designing Your Best Life with Jodie Taylor

How do you go from feeling stuck to fully stepping into your power? In this episode, we sit down with Jodie Taylor—DEI executive, content creator, and personal development coach—to talk about mastering the glow-up from the inside out. Jodie shares insights on career success, balancing corporate life with creative pursuits, and why self-concept is key to transformation. Plus, she drops gems on manifestation, finding your “zone of genius,” and designing the life you truly want. 🔗 Resources Jodie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/jodiektayl/ Jodie's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jodiektay Jodie's Website: http://jodiektay.com/ Psycho-Cybernetics: https://a.co/d/aolbEkc Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself: https://a.co/d/70tNWFG ---------- Welcome to The First GemsA safe space for first-generation millennials to unite, heal, and be heard. We're spotlighting first-gen stories through culture, community, and the come-up. 👇 Tap in: ✔️ Like the episode 🔔 Subscribe for more stories 💬 Drop a comment to share your gem 🎧Listen On-The-Go Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0ew8KSHnLv9Hp9YQeWoQm8?si=22d48eaae0f147f9 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-first-gems/id1523085003RevoltTV → https://www.revolt.tv/podcasts/the-first-gems 📲Let’s Stay Connected: Website → thefirstgems.com IG → @thefirstgems TikTok → @thefirstgems 📩 Email → firstgemspodcast@gmail.com
Behind the Headlines: The Secrets to PR Success with Takyrah Jones

Behind the Headlines: The Secrets to PR Success with Takyrah Jones

Ever wonder what really happens behind the scenes in PR? In this episode of The First Gems, we chat with publicist and marketer Takyrah Jones, best known for her PR Moves series on TikTok. She breaks down the differences between PR and marketing, shares real talk on crisis management, and explains why authenticity is key to building a strong brand. Takyrah also dives into her journey in the industry, the power of networking, and how to stand out in today’s fast-paced media world. If you're curious about PR, branding, or making a name for yourself, this episode is packed with gems you won’t want to miss! 🔗 Resources - Takyrah's IG- https://www.instagram.com/takyrahj/ - Takyrah's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@takyrahj Topics: First Generation Black Podcasts Public Relations Marketing and Branding Women in PR Media strategy Personal branding Puerto Rican Culture New York Hustle Womens History Month ---------- 🎙Welcome to The First Gems A safe space for first-generation millennials to unite, heal, and be heard. We're spotlighting first-gen stories through culture, community, and the come-up. 👇 Tap in: ✔️ Like the episode 🔔 Subscribe for more stories 💬 Drop a comment to share your gem 🎧Listen On-The-Go Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0ew8KSHnLv9Hp9YQeWoQm8?si=22d48eaae0f147f9 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-first-gems/id1523085003RevoltTV → https://www.revolt.tv/podcasts/the-first-gems 📲Let’s Stay Connected: Website → thefirstgems.com IG → @thefirstgems TikTok → @thefirstgems 📩 Email → firstgemspodcast@gmail.com
The Business of Beauty: Sheva Ahmadi on Being a Black Entrepreneur and Owning Your Success

The Business of Beauty: Sheva Ahmadi on Being a Black Entrepreneur and Owning Your Success

In this episode of The First Gems, we sit down with Sheva Ahmadi, the founder of LA Beauty Club, to discuss her journey from a frustrating beauty supply experience to becoming a trailblazing entrepreneur. Sheva keeps it real about the highs and lows of building a business from the ground up, the sacrifices she made, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. From being featured on Revolt TV’s Bet on Black to franchising LA Beauty Club, Sheva shares the unfiltered truth about entrepreneurship, representation in the beauty industry, and why keeping your 9-to-5 might just be your biggest asset. Plus, as always, we’re dropping gems you don’t want to miss! Tune in and get inspired to take your next bold step. 🔗Resources - LA Beauty Club Insta: https://www.instagram.com/labeautyclub__/ - LA Beauty Club Website: https://labeautyclub.com/ Topics covered: Sheva Ahmadi’s journey Launching LA Beauty Club Black-owned business challenges Entrepreneurship struggles Balancing a 9-to-5 and business Revolt TV’s Bet on Black Supporting Black businesses First-generation entrepreneurship Black History Month Black Owned Beauty Supply in Los Angeles Lessons for First-Generation Entrepreneurs --------------- 🎙Welcome to The First Gems A safe space for first-generation millennials to unite, heal, and be heard. We're spotlighting first-gen stories through culture, community, and the come-up. 👇 Tap in: ✔️ Like the episode 🔔 Subscribe for more stories 💬 Drop a comment to share your gem 🎧Listen On-The-Go Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0ew8KSHnLv9Hp9YQeWoQm8?si=22d48eaae0f147f9 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-first-gems/id1523085003RevoltTV → https://www.revolt.tv/podcasts/the-first-gems 📲Let’s Stay Connected: Website → thefirstgems.com IG → @thefirstgems TikTok → @thefirstgems 📩 Email → firstgemspodcast@gmail.com
Love, Culture & Connection with Kalaria & Jimmy [BONUS] | S3E8

Love, Culture & Connection with Kalaria & Jimmy [BONUS] | S3E8

Love is more than just romance—it's about connection and personal growth. In this special Valentine’s Day episode, Kalaria and her fiancé Jimmy take on a fun and revealing couples quiz that tests their knowledge of each other while exploring their cultural backgrounds and relationship dynamics. From lighthearted questions to deeper reflections on love, family, and authenticity, this heartfelt conversation highlights how personal experiences and cultural values shape relationships. Tune in for laughs, love, and meaningful insights into what makes a strong and lasting connection. Topics: Valentines Day Couples Quiz Black Love Black Couples Milleninals First Generation Black Podcasts Love & Relationships Haitian Culture Nigerian Culture South African Culture ---------- 🎙Welcome to The First Gems A safe space for first-generation millennials to unite, heal, and be heard. We're spotlighting first-gen stories through culture, community, and the come-up. 👇 Tap in: ✔️ Like the episode 🔔 Subscribe for more stories 💬 Drop a comment to share your gem 🎧Listen On-The-Go Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0ew8KSHnLv9Hp9YQeWoQm8?si=22d48eaae0f147f9 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-first-gems/id1523085003RevoltTV → https://www.revolt.tv/podcasts/the-first-gems 📲Let’s Stay Connected: Website → thefirstgems.com IG → @thefirstgems TikTok → @thefirstgems 📩 Email → firstgemspodcast@gmail.com
Viral Visionary : How Fola Amudipe Found Her Zone of Genius as a Natural Hair & Travel Influencer

Viral Visionary : How Fola Amudipe Found Her Zone of Genius as a Natural Hair & Travel Influencer

In this episode of The First Gems podcast, we sit down with Fola Amudipe aka Folahontas, a first-gen Nigerian and visionary influencer, known for her expertise in natural hair care and budget-luxury travel. Fola shares her incredible journey from pivoting from her original career path, to going viral with her iconic braid styles to building an online community. She dives deep into the challenges of navigating the content creation world, staying authentic in a trend-driven industry, and how she found her true zone of genius by creating impactful and intentional content. Tune in to hear how Fola is not just setting trends but leading with purpose and passion, inspiring others to embrace who they are and explore the world. Brought to you exclusively by the REVOLT Podcast Network #PoweredByCreators Resources Fola IG - https://www.instagram.com/folahontas/ Fola Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@folahontas?lang=en ---------- 🎙Welcome to The First Gems A safe space for first-generation millennials to unite, heal, and be heard. We're spotlighting first-gen stories through culture, community, and the come-up. 👇 Tap in: ✔️ Like the episode 🔔 Subscribe for more stories 💬 Drop a comment to share your gem 🎧Listen On-The-Go Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0ew8KSHnLv9Hp9YQeWoQm8?si=22d48eaae0f147f9 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-first-gems/id1523085003RevoltTV → https://www.revolt.tv/podcasts/the-first-gems 📲Let’s Stay Connected: Website → thefirstgems.com IG → @thefirstgems TikTok → @thefirstgems 📩 Email → firstgemspodcast@gmail.com
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