# Empowering Voices: The Journey of Black Female Gamers

[00:00:00]

## [00:00:00] Introduction: A Black Executive Perspective

[00:00:00] A Black Executive Perspective. Look, man, they didn't get a chance to play chess. They had to play checker. Let's talk about it, T. Openly and honestly. There was a lot of smart kids there. A Black Executive Perspective. Now, my story's not unique. There's thousands of professionals of color who have experiences like mine.

[00:00:23] A Black Executive Perspective. Whether you're aware of it or not, it's a topic that is often avoided. We'll discuss race and how it plays a factor, and how we didn't even talk about this topic, because we were afraid. A Black Executive Perspective.

## [00:00:41] The Gaming Industry: A Minority Perspective

[00:00:41] There are 227 million gamers in the U. S. However, only a small percentage of gamers are women, and an even smaller fraction are women of color.

[00:00:51] In this episode, Black female influencers in the gaming space, doing it with 5GRV. We will meet the women of 5GRV, [00:01:00] Gamers on the Road, and comedian GloZell, who are taking the gaming space by storm. We'll hear how Black female influencers are changing the game and their impact on driving inclusivity.

## [00:01:11] Meet the Host: Tony Tidbit

[00:01:11] Welcome to a Black Executive Perspective podcast, a safe space where we discuss all matters related to race, especially race in corporate America. I'm your host, Tony Tidbit, and today is a very exciting day. Today we're going to chat with the award winning cast of 5GRV, Gamers on the Road franchise, created and produced by Alpha Precision Media.

[00:01:38] Today, you're going to be able to learn about these fabulous women who are breaking stereotypes, who are break making paradigm shifts, and more importantly, who's helping diversity in the gaming industry. So we have four fierce female black influencers taking the gaming industry by storm by [00:02:00] creating relevant stories.

[00:02:02] That's promoting sisterhood, the gaming culture, black excellence, and like I said, driving inclusivity in the gaming industry. So I'm excited. I know my producer here, Double A. You excited, Double A? I'm very excited. He's very excited, right? So let's jump into it and let's meet the class.

## [00:02:20] Introducing the 5GRV Cast

[00:02:20] So first. We have Glozell Green, who's also known by the YouTube OG.

[00:02:27] Some background on Glozell. Glozell pursued her career in acting and comedy by moving to Los Angeles after attending 600 consecutive tapings of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, which is insane. Okay? And also blog interviewing. with audience members at the show. She started her YouTube channel called Vine Stardom as well as her acting career.

[00:02:51] She is well known for the work on the movie Trolls and has been the favorite wacky social media auntie for [00:03:00] almost a decade. Welcome GloZell. Hello, this is GloZell. Is you okay? Is you good? You know I wanted to know. I'm so happy to be here. Thank you, A, A, and T, T, and B, B, and G. We're happy you're here as well, Glozell.

[00:03:11] Natasha Walsh, aka Barefoot Tasha, who's also known as the laugh heard around the world. Tasha was born to Jamaican immigrants. and raised in Miami. She has been gaming with her family since grade school. Beyond gaming, Tasha has always had a passion for cooking. Although her culinary journey was cut short, she holds cooking still near to her dear heart.

[00:03:38] Prior to the pandemic, she was a waitress at a high end restaurant, and gaming is now her bread and butter. Natasha, welcome to a Black Executive Perspective. What's up, everybody? I hope everybody's shoes is off because we all at home in our own comfort. So, you know, your shoes should be off. The toes should be out.

[00:03:58] Thanks for joining. And guess [00:04:00] what? My shoes are off. All right, so I'm good. So Alicia Jackson, a. k. a. Leash Caprice, who's ringleader. So again, I want to find out what all these things mean, right? Alicia began gaming since the age of five. Her first introduction to games was street fighter 2 with her brother before streaming She was a bartender for 10 years and during the when the pandemic hit She was laid off and then she had to get creative So we definitely want to learn more about what happened there.

[00:04:31] She found streaming and her success began in 2020 She's a mom of a beautiful 13 year old daughter and lives really close to her parents. Alicia, Alicia Kapish, welcome to a Black Executive Perspective Podcast. Everybody, I hope everybody's doing good. Um, I will be serving drinks after this, you know. Tell me what your favorite drink is.

[00:04:54] I got you, but it's an honor to be here. And I'm just ready to have fun. Awesome. [00:05:00] Awesome. Welcome. And Kyla Cook, AKA defined by Kai and her moniker to intellect. Kai was born in Brooklyn and has settled in Austin, Texas. Her love of gaming started when she used to watch her older cousin play video games all the time.

[00:05:16] When she's not gaming, she works for a company called Rooster Teeth as an on camera talent for the Achievement Hunter division. She has strong ties to HBCUs as both her sister and brother currently attend. She currently holds a Bachelor in TV, Video, Hofstra University, a Master in Media Design. From Full Sail, and is part of the Greek life as Sigma Gamma, and is this Sigma Gamma Roy or Sigma Gamma Rhino?

[00:05:43] I want to make sure I say it right. Sorry, I took that a little personal. I shouldn't have. Sigma Gamma Roy Sorority Incorporated. There we go, alright. Hi, welcome to a Black Executive Perspective Podcast. Thank you. Thank you. Hi, everyone. It's so awesome to be here with my [00:06:00] sisters and crime and just talking about nerdy things.

[00:06:03] I love it here. Well, look, we're glad all of you guys are here. You guys have made some major accomplishments where we're going to dive into. But before we get into the heavy stuff and hear your stories and what's been going on and the success you've had.

## [00:06:16] Unveiling the Personalities: The AKAs

[00:06:16] I, like I said, when I started this in terms of your bios, I want to learn a little bit more about the AKA part.

[00:06:22] Right? So Glozell, they call you the YouTube OG. Why is that? They call me the OG because I am an OG when it comes to the internet. I was one of the first people to ever be on YouTube. So that is why when the beginning, when people didn't even know what the internet was, YouTube, blogs, blogging, that's where I was.

[00:06:44] Wow. I'd see. I didn't even, and so can I throw a year in here? Can I ask a year? A day? When? When was this? This was the early two thousands. Okay. So I have plenty of videos that's not even on YouTube because YouTube hadn't started yet. So yeah, we're [00:07:00] talking 2000. 2000, you know? Wow. Yes. So, yeah. So. That makes total sense.

[00:07:05] That makes total sense. All right, Tasha. Why are you known as the laugh around the world? I have an Uncontrollable giggle that that no matter what I do, you're gonna hear it. I Think at this point is what I'm most Known for whenever I game with friends or anything of the sort, I definitely always get that comment where people say, I love Tasha's laugh, the giggle, the, the, the, this, the, that always about my laugh.

[00:07:39] So it was something, can, can we get the giggle? I didn't even do that on purpose.

[00:07:47] ruddy. I love it. She can laugh on call . Right on cue. Right on cue. Right on cue. That's awesome. That is awesome. Okay. Yeah. Go ahead. That's probably why. I just, I just, I'm always laughing. I'm [00:08:00] always trying to make others laugh as well. So I'll take the title. Okay. You know what? That's a great title to have, right?

[00:08:08] People like people who can laugh and be funny and happy. So love it. Keep it up. Keep doing it. All right. Kai, why the intellect? Uh, I think I'm called the intellect just because, I mean, you, you just listed off I got two degrees. I'm always going to talk about the fact that I have two degrees when I say something stupid because I'm wrong 80, well, I'm wrong 15 percent of the right time.

[00:08:30] I'm correct 85 percent of the time. Uh, I just, I try to explain a lot of things that don't need explanations, but it's the only way to make me feel better about some stuff. So we're gonna, we're gonna explain things with intelligence. Um, and I love it. I love it. Let me, I learned this a long time ago.

[00:08:49] Common sense is not common. Okay. So I hope the intellect agrees with that. Okay. Especially when she's right, 85 percent and only wrong 15. All right. [00:09:00] I don't know how many people do that, but you know what, that's that you're, you definitely fit the name. So welcome. That is awesome. And least, not. At least. So I just made that up.

[00:09:11] I hope that's okay. All right. Why the ringleader? I honestly don't know. I looked at the sheet and I was like, why y'all calling me the ringleader? But I guess it's because, but no, I guess it's because that I'm able to rally everybody together. I'm able, I'm the one that everybody could come to and like talk to and.

[00:09:33] You know, I'm real, like, out of all of them, I'm probably the calmest one, and that says a lot, because I'm not that calm, IRL. Uh, there, so you, you see what we, you see what we working with, right? Yeah, I am the calmest one out of the three, out of all four of us. Oh yeah, it's me, but. I don't realize people know me for my chaos, but my chaos, my chaos is the calmest one out of everybody.

[00:09:58] So, I kind of, [00:10:00] I'm, I'm the, I'm grounded. I bring everybody together. I'm like the safe, safe spot. The cornerstone basically, right? The foundation, right? I'm the glue. You're the glue that makes it happen. Well, listen, thank you guys for sharing. You, I can see you guys have been just a ball of fun. You've been working together for years, you know, as we get ready to jump into and just how did this start, you know, you guys come from all over the country.

[00:10:27] You came together, you put together a great program, but let's just share with, let's just share with the audience in terms of success that you guys have had, you know, once you launch five GRV. Gamers on the road, the season one, you guys were first in branded live stream reality content on Twitch, Twitch, right?

[00:10:46] You won, what, five awards, best content marketing platform, best video series, best video live streaming, best new platform. That's multicultural community engagement. I mean, the list goes on and [00:11:00] on. And then after season one, the, the, the celebrity and the achievements didn't stop. You know, you guys went on Glozell, you, you were in Trolls, Celebrity Ambassador for the LA Zoo, a 10 year anniversary cinnamon.

[00:11:15] Tasha, you know, HyperX spokesperson, feature panelists at DreamCon, you know, Leash, Master of Ceremonies at Game in 2023, winner for BIPOC Streamer, Kai, guest creator speaker at DreamHack, speaker on Twitch. And these are just a few of the accolades and the accomplishments and the things that's going on in your lives.

[00:11:37] I mean, so I can imagine, and listen, we're in 2023. And when I was going through your bios and, you know, um, when you were talking about you were a bartender, okay, and the, um, the pandemic hit, and then you had to get creative, okay? At the end of the day, when you, when that happened, [00:12:00] okay, we're, you know, just, I just want to think about that for a second, because three years later, and I don't know if you knew this crew, I don't know if you were friends with them, I don't know, You know what happened, you know leash but at the end of the day To say I got to get creative and the next thing, you know, three years later.

## [00:12:20] The Journey to Gaming: Personal Stories

[00:12:20] You're on a show All right traveling around with people who might have been your peeps before might not have been I don't know I want to hear it and now you're being celebrated Throughout the country. So tell us a little bit, you know, how that how that started and then I would like to hear from the Rest of you guys just piece it together for us how you guys came together, right?

[00:12:42] Because this didn't happen overnight I'm, pretty sure none of you guys saw this So we want to dive into that in terms of how it happened leash kick us off Uh, so basically I was already streaming on twitch for about like just casually While I was still working in the bars, like the [00:13:00] service industry or whatever.

[00:13:01] And so once I got laid off because of the pandemic, I used to work at Hartsfield Jackson international airport. And so just going into the airport, the busiest airport in the world and just seeing it just empty was like crazy. And I just knew I'm like, Oh, here we go. Um, but it's cool because I worked for a job that had a union and so they made sure that we were okay.

[00:13:22] And so I was, I was able to start my career based on the fact that I had like a little bit of cushion. And so I was like, you know what, let me, let me try it because if I don't try it and I go back to work, I'm a feel bad, you know, so started streaming more, being more consistent. And then I started posting my, uh, content on tick tock.

[00:13:41] So I started posting more, uh, short form content. And from there, it kind of just blew up. Like Tik TOK back then, the algorithm was crazy. Like you could post a video and next thing you know, you got a thousand followers and then, you know, just kept going and going and going. And when I saw that, that [00:14:00] I was making around the same amount of money that I was making at the bar, I was like, Oh, okay.

[00:14:06] We might have to go full time, right? We might have to go full time. And then, after that, like, you know, I made connections with people. Me and Tasha actually known each other. For like a year before we did this, right? We were playing games for a minute, right? Um, but my first time ever meeting her in person was on five.

[00:14:25] You don't like to leave it This year it seems like it's just crazy how life works because this is something that I always pray for You know the service industry can get a little bit soul sucking, you know, you go to work. It's the same thing over and over again At least with this, I have variety. I don't get bored as easily.

[00:14:49] It's fulfilling. And, you know, I get to spend time with other black women in the space. Uh, something that I wanted when I was a child. And that's one of the main reasons why I [00:15:00] do this because I want to be what I needed as a child. Um, so just being around other black women in this space and. sharing the same interests and being able to talk about like anime and gaming and, you know, nerd stuff and I feel no type of way.

[00:15:14] It was just great. And I got to meet Glozell, me and Glozell friends. I got Glozell phone number, you know? Like who would have ever thought? But that's basically how I got my, my start. I just, it, And I will say being a part of the bartending service industry kind of prepared me for this. That's why I never really be like, Oh, bartending sucks because it helped me like, be able to get the social things on hours at on end.

[00:15:41] Yeah. It helped build up my social skills. It helped my people, like just being in front of people, not, uh, being as nervous about talking in front of people. Cause even though it's like, we're online. It's still that, like, you know, you're still talking to people. So, you know, I just take all of the [00:16:00] lessons that I've, I've learned in my time as an adult, just apply it on here.

[00:16:04] And then now look at me, I'm not looking at me, baby. So, so Glozell pick up from there. Right. Because obviously. You know, you are in L. A., Jay Leno, 600 times, which I, I, I mean, that, I don't even know how many years that is. Um, and then now, you're adding, oh jeez, look at that. I really want to know, did you get banned?

[00:16:33] And now you're with this, and now you're with this gaming crew. Tell us how you got involved in all this. My background is musical theater, uh, and I'm so mad right now, at least. I'm sorry. Uh, one thing, to fast forward to watching all the shows, you get to watch the best of the best, you know, perform, from, uh, from Prince to Beyoncé, everybody perform, and you also see [00:17:00] how they interview.

[00:17:00] And you'll be surprised at how great some performers are who are terrible at interviews, and some who are great at interviews, and like, Oh my goodness. That performance really was a good life. You know, so all of that helps you understand how people really work and how they function and these great stars, they're great at different things.

[00:17:20] And it was another type of school. So to speak for years. So I wanted to be there. So you saw all kinds of acts for years. I'm like, Jay Leno never missed a day. I'm like, I'm not gonna miss a day. And that's that's what happened. And I was trying to find out. Well, what is it that I want to do? Because my background is musical theater.

[00:17:39] However, I, comics were the ones getting television shows. So I was like, let me do stand up, because like, here comes Ellen, and, um, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Ray Romano, everybody, uh, Bernie Mac. Everybody was getting shows that were stand up, not coming from a theater background, or [00:18:00] how sitcoms were formed before. So with that Plus watching all the, the Tonight Shows.

[00:18:06] I feel like, okay, when gaming came around, when the 5G RV came around, I was like, I, I can bring personality. I, I don't know how to play, but these, uh, wonderful young ladies have really helped me. You're getting there. You getting to the game, . Threw me into gaming and, uh, I thought I was just going to be the flame flame, you know, like, yeah, you got five points, you know, but, uh, it's really been fun and I have a six year, a six year, a seven year old daughter and, uh, she wants to get in gaming.

[00:18:39] So it was really great for her to see 5GRV. You know, she doesn't get to go, Oh, I wonder if there's any, you know, one that looks like me that does this. No, she grows up thinking like, this is what we do. Right. Right. That is awesome. So I'm hearing a theme here. Tasha, let me ask you this. You love for cooking.

[00:18:59] Okay. [00:19:00] Culinary. Tell us, how did you, and I know you started, you know, playing game, gaming since you were in grade school, but how did you make this transition? Um, I don't know, I'm gonna tell you a secret. When I, my first choice in career was actually not culinary. I actually wanted to be a vet, like a veterinary technician.

[00:19:21] And I did veterinary assisting in high school for three years and, um, we ran a kennel full of dogs. There was like 150 dogs, some miniature horses, turkeys, chickens, like all types of animals that we would take care of and learn about veterinary assisting. And one day we had to give out shots to the dogs.

[00:19:42] Like. We had to give every dog a specific shot. Don't remember what the shot was called. And I sat there with the scruff of the dog up and the needle in my hand, and I was sitting there like this, like, I could not, I could not do it. [00:20:00] And that's how I knew that I wasn't cut out for this. And then I would always love cooking and learning, like from cooking shows.

[00:20:08] And I used to always want to have my own cooking show, like Gordon Ramsay, not where I. I call people idiot sandwiches, but you know, just maybe a little bit of that, but I always wanted to have this cooking show. And I went to culinary school and I realized how not fun cooking in a kitchen is. It's not fun.

[00:20:30] It's just, it's actually quite terrible. I love that you went from, you know, helping the animals to cooking the animals. Yeah, not only cooking them. She didn't have a problem. She was worried about giving them a shot, but you didn't have a problem putting the knife into them and cutting them up. No, it's a different, it's a different kind of species.

[00:20:55] Tasha, I got you back, girl. Don't worry about it. What's crazy is when I started culinary [00:21:00] school, I became a vegetarian. I did. I became a vegetarian when I started culinary school because I watched this, uh, documentary. I don't remember the name of it, but it was about how, and the animals that we eat are treated before they get to, you know, us and what they inject in them and all that stuff.

[00:21:21] And I became a vegetarian for a year, but one day I got drunk and had a burger, but that's a different story. Um, I had always been a gamer my whole life. I've always played video games since I was a wee lad. And, um, I found people on the Internet that had made gaming into their career. They're making money off of this.

[00:21:48] And I couldn't believe it. I absolutely couldn't believe it. And if you were to tell me. Like 10 years ago that I was going to be making money playing video games online online. I wouldn't [00:22:00] have never believed you However, Kai, let me ask you this, you know You and I just full transparency you work at Rooster Teeth.

[00:22:08] I used to work at Warner Media. So that was my sister company So I know them very well. So tell us a little bit in terms of you know Yes, you you you got your bachelor's degree in filming, but tell us how did you get started, you know in the gaming industry? Yeah, so, like I said, I got my degree in TV and film, which is very much so not gaming.

[00:22:29] Uh, but it was really hard to get a creative job. Uh, I was working in operations, I was working in backgrounds, and people don't realize that just because you work in the entertainment industry, doesn't mean you're doing entertainment creatively all the time. So, I had my foot in the door, but I couldn't get to the room I wanted to be in.

[00:22:46] And it was just really upsetting. To have gone full force into this entertainment industry, not seeing the output that I wanted for the input I was putting in, and then similar to leash the pandemic [00:23:00] happened, and we were working from home, I'd move back in with my parents because I was working in New York at TV one and.

[00:23:07] It was me, it was, honestly, I'm a huge believer in everything happens for a reason, and the world sends you signs in terms of what path to follow, and there were just a lot of signs that were leading me to start streaming on Twitch. You know, people weren't hiring at the time. I had always watched people play video games, but I had never played it myself.

[00:23:25] Again, just from that background of, you know, I'm a femme in a male dominated world, so I would watch my masculine presenting Cousins play video games, but me as a femme wouldn't play them myself. So just a lot of different pieces fell together for me to say. Well, why can't I stream on Twitch? I know how to work a camera, I know how to, I can learn streaming, and push come to shove, my goal is not to be on camera, my goal is fully to be behind the camera, but I can learn streaming as a transferable skill for when I do go back into the TV and media entertainment industry.

[00:23:58] And then, literally, I'll [00:24:00] Kart, which is a very easy Nintendo game, and my mom said, you have the charisma to do this. And I never forgot that. And I, and I always told her, I said, if this doesn't work out, I can return everything, Amazon 30 day return. I just want to try it out. And I did. And literally not even a year later, I was just, you know, active online and people started to notice me and notice my personality and I got picked up by Rishadeep to be an on camera talent.

[00:24:29] And. I've started working there and now two years later, I'm now a full time producer producing these huge productions. For a digital entertainment company again, not on linear television, but honestly, television has changed so much over the years. It's not linear anymore. It's all online. It's all digital.

[00:24:49] It's all streaming. So again, something I didn't know would exist now as it is set me up to do exactly what I'm doing right now. Mm. [00:25:00] That's awesome. And you know, one of the things you're 100 percent right. There's no coincidences. I don't believe in luck, right? I believe things happen for a reason. I believe you just hearing your stories here and basically you were in something else.

[00:25:17] But you were preparing yourself without even knowing it for something bigger, right? For an opportunity, you know, Leash, you were talking about, hey, being in the bartender, help me prepare myself in terms of dealing with people. You know, Glozell, you talked about, hey, I watched all these different people come up and do these different type of acts.

[00:25:37] And all of a sudden it prepared me for something coming up that I didn't even think, that I don't even have experience in, but because I learned so much from watching all this, I can just come and be myself and be a personality and contribute. So all of you guys brought something different to the table.

[00:25:53] You were going through something and then it finally just kind of came together.

## [00:25:57] Formation of 5GRV: The Beginning

[00:25:57] So my question is, how did this, how did [00:26:00] 5GRV, the concept, how did it start? How did you guys get with alpha, you know, uh, precision media. Somebody tell me, how did it, how did that all come together? I wish Tammy was on here because she would be the number one person.

[00:26:13] So who was the first one that was cast so to speak? Cause I did go through. I think I was the first one casted onto 5GRV. I was reached out to by, uh, like a talent agency. Um, and did like a series of interviews with them, with a bunch of different girls. We did compatibility. Um, test and things like that.

[00:26:37] It was, it was really fun. Um, went through a lot of different, uh, girls that they were deciding on for the for the tour. And eventually it all ended up being us right here. I think me and Glozell were the first ones on there. Right. Cause I think I was there on y'all. Yeah. Cause I remember seeing you. Cause I [00:27:00] was like, Oh my God, that's the lady that did the cinnamon challenge.

[00:27:10] So let me ask you this though, in terms of the, in terms of the, um, audition, I mean, you know, and, and for the audience and we'll, you, we'll dive into it. You ladies are on an RV. You're traveling and going, you know, season one, you're on an RV, you're traveling, going to seven HBCUs, right? Being yourselves, doing gaming.

[00:27:29] So, you know, and when, when you first got the first, the, the idea of what the show was going to be, what was your thoughts? You know, getting on, I know you guys, some of you known each other a little bit before, but getting on, you know, coming together, you know, in an RV, traveling around with people, you know, what was the thoughts behind that?

[00:27:47] For me, it was, I thought, oh my goodness, this is crazy. It's going to be fun, however, the reality of like, we're going to be in a closed space with people that I don't know in the field that I'm new to. And you know, I'm, [00:28:00] they're like 20 years younger than me. So I was kind of like, huh, how, Lord, how's this going to work?

[00:28:06] But I'm telling you, it clickety click, clickety click, really quick. Kai, what did you think? What, what was your thoughts? I'm sorry, can you repeat the question again? I got it. I got it. So, you're all of a sudden Clickety click, clickety click! That's fine, that's fine. So, all of a sudden, you're now going to be on this show.

[00:28:23] You're gonna be with strangers on an RV, going to HBCU. So, when you found out that was the concept, what was your thoughts? Was there fear? Was there, like GloZell said, Hey, I'm, you know, I'm gonna be with people I don't know. It's gonna be a closed space. Did you have any, you know, trepidation? Anything that you were worried about?

[00:28:39] Or were you just, I'm down for whatever? I think that's the beauty of this industry, though. The gaming industry is that I wasn't going on tour with strangers. I knew who Tasha was. Leesh, funny, Leesh hates when I say this, so I'm going to say it again. Leesh was the first Black woman, really the first person on Twitch I watched.

[00:28:57] period. When I was trying to figure out what, [00:29:00] see, when I was trying to figure out what streaming looked like, I was watching Leesh because she was playing one of my favorite games, Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney. So I was just chilling her chat. And honestly, when I started streaming, I used her panels, her setup, and Copied a little bit of it to try to figure out what my voice was.

[00:29:17] So leash was that template leash was for me. So it really wasn't girl. If you don't take this compliment, I swear to God. So it really wasn't a situation where. Oh, it's strangers because it wasn't strange. Like I grew up watching, I grew up watching GloZell and at the same time, there's comfort in knowing you're amongst other Black women and let alone other nerdy Black women.

## [00:29:39] Embracing Black Excellence and Culture

[00:29:39] Like there was no fear there. And in fact, the fact that I knew we were Black women in this space and we were utilizing our voices to uplift such important pieces of Black excellence and Black culture. Again, I didn't go to HBCUs, but my brother and sister did. I am part of. The Divine Nine, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Incorporated, which is one of the black sororities, historically black [00:30:00] sororities.

[00:30:00] So anytime I can, the thing about this is that these are historical pieces of culture. And it's not that they're not big, it's that they're not well known. They're not front and center. So anytime I can utilize my voice. And, um, which is, uh, on a, on a decent enough platform to uplift these pieces of our culture.

[00:30:23] I'm going to do that. So I don't think there was any trepidations. I just, I knew what my goal was. I knew who the people I was going in it with were. And at the end of the day, even if we didn't clicky, click, click. We all had our goal and our goal was all the same. So it's easy to work with that. And then, but we did clickety click click.

[00:30:39] And now these are my sisters for life. So everything was great. And Lee leash, let me ask you this.

## [00:30:46] The Power of Representation in Gaming

[00:30:46] So what was based on that?

## [00:30:47] Memorable Moments from Season One

[00:30:47] What was your favorite, you know, part of favorite moment of, of season one of five GRV, I had so many, I think one of my favorites was when we went to Ben's chili bowl, most definitely.

[00:30:59] Uh, [00:31:00] speaking to mom, uh, she was just knowing that she is a part of history, like how you go from serving Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Barack Obama and one in your, in your lifespan and many, many, many other, you know, black prominent people in America. Like I cried. I think I cried during that episode because it was just, it felt.

[00:31:24] It felt you could, it's almost like you could feel, still feel the spirit of certain people in there. Um, what else? Uh, also when we recorded, we recorded a song. Oh please, no. Can you guys sing it right here? Can you guys go ahead and No, don't sing it! No, cause this song, it will get stuck in my head and I got a stream later on tonight and I do not want to sing it.

[00:31:51] She already sang it. I gotta work. Right.

## [00:31:56] The Dynamics of the Team

[00:31:56] Um, but yeah, it's just, it's so many moments that just [00:32:00] brought us closer, you know, and just figuring out like how everybody operates. I think I've, I've touched on this before, like, even though like we knew each other online, being in person is different. Right. So I didn't realize how cuddly Tasha likes to, she's really touchy feely.

[00:32:16] I'm not that touchy feely. But I made exceptions for Tasha because it's like, Because I'm like, okay, me and Tasha cool, you know, whatever, at least I know her. Uh, I thought Kai was going to be shy. Kai is not shy. Kai is very assertive and she is very like, you know, like, this is what it is. Okay. And I thought GloZell was, And I thought GloZell was going to be crazy and GloZell was quiet.

[00:32:45] At first, then when she opened, then we got acquainted, then she got crazy, but at first she was really quiet. So it's, that's the part that I, I, I liked about our journey. It's just, [00:33:00] you know, discovering how everybody is, uh, you know, and just. I don't know. It's just, it's a different type of, of vibe IRL. Like I love the online space, but I'm an in person person.

[00:33:12] So. Oh, and that's awesome. You know, look, at the end of the day, you guys were able to come together. I want to ask you this and I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll, I'll position this question to Tasha.

## [00:33:25] Recognizing the Significance of Representation

[00:33:25] Did you have an idea of the significance? In terms of having four strong black women in the gaming industry, that's not a lot of representation and being able, uh, to be, you know, a pioneer that actually, then it actually kind of took off.

[00:33:44] Did you recognize the significance what you guys were doing? From the beginning, uh, when they first told me about this tour, I recognized the significance of this because yeah, we are underrepresented. Um, we are [00:34:00] under viewed on the platform. There's not a lot of black women that you see as a top 50, even the top 100 creators on the platform.

[00:34:11] So As soon as I heard about this, oh, I thought that this was amazing. This is, this is what we need. Something that shows our personality and brings us together and can bring people to have fun with us. I immediately saw the significance. I want everybody else to see it.

## [00:34:35] The Impact on the Gaming Community

[00:34:35] Kai, what, what impact, what did you see from the people that you were, you know, engaging with the women, the black women?

[00:34:44] What, and what did you see for them? What was their reaction in terms of seeing you guys together? And I'm going to speak on it personally. Cause my sister, uh, went to one of the schools we visited. So we got to hang out with her and her friends and even just the simple definition of what [00:35:00] gaming is changed in their minds.

[00:35:02] Cause a lot of people think that gaming is, Oh, you have to be playing one of these big four games, the triple a games, and in reality, gaming is. Anything possible. It could be playing a mobile game on your phone. It can be playing an indie game on your computer on a console. The word term gaming, board gaming, puzzle gaming, is just so mass and it's not exclusive at all.

[00:35:25] So even just seeing the sprinkle in their eyes of them saying for the first time, I'm a gamer. Ooh, even right now, I'm getting chills thinking about it. Like just seeing people that didn't realize they were gamers, say, I'm a gamer and realize that there are more people that look like us that are willing to take up this space.

[00:35:42] Cause there's so much of it that, that was just, that impact to me just hit me right here in my heart. Wow. And that, and so being able to see and experience that and give people, what do you think you, Gozel, let me, let me push a position as to you, what do you think? After you [00:36:00] engage with everyone, what do you think you left those individuals?

## [00:36:03] Inspiring the Next Generation of Gamers

[00:36:03] We left those individuals with, uh, high hopes and inspiration. Like I, I can do it also. Yeah. Like I can help this, this trail that's been blazed by the, by us and continue because I think in the future, I'm like, are we going to be on RV, you know, 10, 20 years from now? I hope so. But with others, now we, we better be several.

[00:36:27] The several writers, the several RVs. So yes, everybody wants to like, Hey, that's cool. Let's join. So now we're going to grow. And I hope that, and I know that all four of us, we appreciate this time because it's going to change. You know, it's going to be a time like, Oh, you know, I can't make this one. I can, I'll go that one.

[00:36:44] Oh, we got, we added four more people that, so it's gonna, it's gonna morph and change and grow. Because I, starting on YouTube, you know, it started one way. It's completely different now. So I mean, I'm enjoying this and I know that it's going to change and it's going to be great. But we were in the [00:37:00] beginning and it's nice that we're inspiring other people that's going to do what we're doing.

[00:37:03] And that's what this is all about, right? The inspiration that you guys are providing, you know, and let's be clear here. I'm inspired. Okay, just to be clear, I'm inspired because I always love the story. And this is what people need to hear and listen, because a lot of times people think they're stuck in no matter what endeavor they are, relationship.

[00:37:23] Whatever the case may be. And you guys are a prime example of that. You're never stuck. If you have the right attitude, you're open to opportunity and you're open to change, right? Because at the end of the day, what I'm so inspired about this story is that you guys have talents in you. That you were born with that nine times as a 10, you wouldn't have known about until you were able to expand outside of what people said you should do.

[00:37:51] Or you're a girl, you should only do this. And you know, this and that, or I live in this neighborhood and I'm supposed to do this. And you were able to step out of that bucket and [00:38:00] then engage in a talent. That you didn't even know you had which is going to take you to wherever you want to go Right and you know, I go back to you kai where you say hey, I want to be behind the screen These are the opportunities that open that door.

[00:38:14] So this is very inspirational Now, let me ask you this tasha i'll put this to you Yes, we're all singing kubaya Everybody loved it. You inspired a lot of people Did you receive any pushback? Was, how did the male figures, in terms of, that was, that you, that saw your show, and you guys engaged, what was their thoughts, initial thoughts?

[00:38:37] Tell, tell us a little bit about that. Well, the male figures liked our figures, so, Oh my. Y'all can cut that out.

[00:38:54] So what's your thoughts? Did you guys get pushed back at all? Was it, was, did everybody have their arms opened up [00:39:00] wide or was people a little standoffish in the beginning? I don't think, um, from what I saw that people were standoffish. I feel like for the most part, the people in our space. We're very open and accepting of what we were doing and also trying to help, um, push forward, uh, the viewership and everything in, in what we were doing.

[00:39:24] I don't, I don't think we got a lot of pushback and probably because we don't, we don't associate with losers like that. If they were hating, I didn't see it because they don't exist to me. That part, I will say, I think the only big challenge on the tour. Uh, was just, again, trying to communicate the difference between what is normal, which is linear television, and what is streaming on Twitch, because a lot of times, uh, you know, you have this idea for a script, or you have this [00:40:00] idea for a story, and, you know, there are so many amazing producers and teams working with us, and I think that's a great thing.

[00:40:07] Tasha was saying by there was no pushback is that once we came on board, we said we were told the ideas and they were really flexible working with us and figure out what worked for our personalities, what worked for the platform, and it's almost like we were consulted as well. And our intelligence was used about the medium that we know.

[00:40:25] So that way we can make the best content possible on the best plat on, on the current platform we were using. So it, I didn't even want to say it was pushback because that's not at all what it was, but it's always a challenge when there's something new to be discovered and you have to Try to explain it to people that may don't fully understand, but at the same time, that's not an issue because everyone wants to learn and that's all we really want.

[00:40:47] That's all you really can ask for. Leash piggybacking on that.

## [00:40:53] Looking Forward to the Esports Awards

[00:40:53] So how do you guys take it to the next level? Okay. You came in, you're starting to, you know, cracking the glass ceiling, you're [00:41:00] making a difference. People are excited. You know, uh, back to LaTosha's point, you know, now they're like, wow, I know, I didn't know anything about gaming, but now I can do this.

[00:41:09] You're opening people's eyes. How do you guys take it to the next level? We skydive. Oh man. We skydive. Lie again. On stream. Lie again. She going to be doing that by herself. Lie again. I think we take it to the next level as a collective. By just continuing to use our voices to uplift each other, uplift the project.

[00:41:31] I feel like, I think, who was it who mentioned an Emmy? Was it Tammy? It was like, we want an Emmy. I was like, girl, if you could give me an Emmy, I'll be my mom's favorite child. What? What the hell? I'll be the favorite child forever. I was the wild one. But, um. But yeah, that's, uh, that's one way we could just, you know, keep, uh, pushing the narrative, like you need to be on board five GRV, like, don't wait until we made it to want to [00:42:00] hop on board.

[00:42:00] Cause we're going to remember, unless you throw some money our way, then it's like, okay, we can make exceptions. Okay. Uh, but individually, I just feel like we just keep doing what we doing. Like we're rock stars in this space. Like, I didn't realize like how, like. I don't want to say popping, but how popping I was, I don't want to say it, but I said it when I go to these conventions.

[00:42:23] When I go to these conventions and like, people know who I am and they're like, Can I take a picture? I'm like, With me? You talking to me? Who's that? Are you sure? I don't know, like, being, like, hearing like, oh, you make my day better, being the best part of somebody's day, a stranger, uh, being an inspiration to somebody is, it's, it's weird sometimes, but it's also like feeling like my heart is so full and I feel like all of us kind of feel the same way.

[00:42:51] So. That's how we take it to the next level. Continue doing what we do and be a rock stars and, you know, uplifting five GRV, speaking [00:43:00] about it whenever we can, posting about it whenever we can. You know, we're going to be at the e sports awards, so that's going to be fun. I'm going to be dressed to impress.

[00:43:08] I love it. You just went, you just went to where I want to go. Right. So you guys going to be at the e sports awards in Vegas, right? So tell us a little bit, and you know what? I'll start with Glozell. Tell us a little bit what you're looking for forward to while you're in Vegas.

[00:43:26] Cause you can take one of those nerds that make all that money playing games and you can dress them any kind of way. So that part is okay. So that's. Was I not supposed, I wasn't supposed to say that? No, no, no, no, listen, at the end of the day, you, this is what you want, and that's totally fine, you want a husband, that's great.

[00:43:41] I'm just saying. I thought you wanted a cowboy, now you want a nerd. But I was like, Kenny, you don't have a cowboy hat on, you know, just have something on. I'm like saying, yippee, yippee, yeah, yeah. But what I'm looking forward to is now, you know, now we're all gonna be on the red carpet together. I don't think we've done that.

[00:43:57] Right? Not together. So, [00:44:00] um, and that's going to be amazing. Together, we have never been on a red carpet. You've been on a red carpet. I ain't coming back with a cowboy hat. They're going to get cowboy right there. Yes, I'm going to have my Beyoncé cowboy hat with the diamonds and stuff on it. You see Double A?

[00:44:16] You see Double A? He, he, he works on demand here. Alright, so he put the cowboy hat on as soon as he heard it. And he's lining up to be the husband too. He'll chat with you after, alright? We're going to have an amazing time. We're a fun people. I'm looking forward to the red carpet. In this environment, I've done red carpets.

[00:44:37] So, I mean, um. You know, the Trolls premieres coming out. So I just want to know about gaming. Uh, Red Carpet is going to be fun. And I won't be by myself because I'm like, I'm going to be with my, my family here who, who understands gaming and fun while I'm looking. Also side eyed for a husband, you know, in a cowboy hat.

[00:44:56] Well, think about this for a second, you know, the e [00:45:00] sports award in Vegas, you know, it's like the Superbowl. Okay. And at the end of the day, three years ago, you guys were in other spaces doing other stuff, right? Three years later. You're going to the Super Bowl of your craft. Tasha, how does that make you feel?

[00:45:21] I'm not gonna lie, it's, it's kind of scary. It's kind of scary. It's a little terrifying, you know. I'm a little nervous or whatever. Why are you nervous? Now, why, why is it a little scary? It's, um, new things for me are always a little nerve wracking. When I, when I don't know what to expect, I do get a little nervous.

[00:45:43] But I am I'm less nervous because I have all of them with me and that brings me immense amounts of comfort. But I am excited to be on the red carpet. I've never ever done that. If you would have, I [00:46:00] never even thought of doing that before, like being on the red carpet, like as if I'm somebody important.

[00:46:06] You are important, right? Leash, how does that make you feel? Honestly, I'm just ready to dress up. I like to dress. She do. I like to dress. I've already got, like, I gotta send an email to the, to the people who we, they're supposed to be dressing us. So I already got the email that I'm about to send. I got my vision board.

[00:46:29] You made a vision board? I'm about to send that out tomorrow. That's awesome. I'm very particular. That's awesome. Now listen, um, but yeah, I'm, I'm just excited, I'm, I'm just excited to go on this trip. Period. Like just to be around. I love being around them now there at the end of the trip. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna be like, all right, it's time to go home because let me tell you something.

[00:46:47] Can I tell you something about Tasha? She likes to go out and be out till four o'clock in the morning and see that's not my jam anymore. I'm in my 30s. I'm in my 30s too! You a young [00:47:00] 30. You just turned 30. I'm a mid 30. I go to bed now, but she liked to be out at four o'clock in the morning and then we'd be having call time at nine and I'm just like, no, I can't do this.

[00:47:20] So let me, let me, let me, let me pose this to Kai too. I want to hear your thoughts. How do you feel about going to the Superbowl of your, your industry, Kai?

## [00:47:28] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

[00:47:28] I, to be fully vulnerable, and I know I'm going to get a lot of flack from the people down below, but I don't think I care. I don't think I belong there.

[00:47:37] It's really, see, see, all the, all right, the faces. It's really weird. Um, it'd be a lie to say imposter syndrome doesn't exist. It would be a lie to say that I feel like there's not other people that I'm mutuals with that I feel like deserve this more. But at the same time, uh, I'm going to, Write down everything I've ever done.

[00:47:58] Even not even just let alone [00:48:00] this year. And I'm going to just enjoy being with my sisters. Like I, I love getting dressed up. I enjoy meeting new people. I love award shows. And it's so funny. Uh, I remember when I was in school and my mom promised me that the first time I walked the red carpet, she would be my date.

[00:48:14] So I can't keep that promise, but I'll FaceTime her in there for sure. So at least I could keep a little bit of it. Well, listen, number one. All of you guys, thanks for sharing, but Kai, I just want to back up a little bit. I appreciate you being vulnerable here. Okay. Because, and there's one of the reasons why I asked the question, this, you know, you, you guys have success and you guys all said it here on, on, on, on the podcast, you didn't see this.

[00:48:45] Okay. You didn't see it. You, you did everything. And then all of a sudden, boom, and you deserve everything because nobody gave it to you. It was hard work. You took a risk. You didn't play it [00:49:00] safe. All those things. So sometimes when we do finally get to the pinnacle, we do, you know, basically get to that success.

[00:49:08] That's you know, sometimes we do feel that way. Sometimes we feel like do I really deserve this? Did I you know, did I really do enough to be here? And let me tell you flat out. Yes Okay. Yes. There's nothing wrong with feeling that way but also at the same time You know you deserve it and enjoy it because it's the it's the stepping stone of life And just being here with you guys, like I said, i'm very inspired Because this is what I believe in.

[00:49:37] You know, you guys see on my screen is Tony tidbit, right? Well, that name is not, it doesn't come up with that name, that name. I send out a motivational, inspirational quote on a daily basis called Tony's tidbits. So I believe in the things that you guys are doing. And I believe in the things that people can do, because you have the ability to change your life.

[00:49:58] If you want [00:50:00] to based on your attitude, your work ethic, and then more importantly, your determination and you guys have done this today. You have shared this dream, this journey that you guys are on and every accolade, every success that you guys are getting is great. But here's the kicker. You guys are inspiring black women.

[00:50:22] Throughout the country to be able to be open to do something that they never thought they could do. Yes, you're going to the Esports Awards. Yes, you have a bunch of accolades in terms of, you know, best platform, this, this and that. But that situation in terms of inspiring other black women and inspiring other black kids to be able to, that's in a space that's underrepresented and you can now, they can now see themselves being you, that is for life.

[00:50:49] That is for life that will never go away Okay, and because 10 years from now 20 years from now You're going to run into somebody and they're going to remember [00:51:00] you guys and then more importantly they're going to say this is what i'm doing Because I saw you do it. Okay, so that's what this is about I'm, so excited that you guys were able to join a black executive perspective podcast I got one final question for each of you.

## [00:51:15] Final Thoughts and Encouragement

[00:51:15] Okay, and i'm going to start with glozel Glozell, what do you want to leave the audience today about 5GRV? What do you want them to know? What do you want them to leave them? Well, what I want to leave with the audience about 5GRV is that we, we can do it. You can do it. Whatever that song, that, that novel, that job that you need to start or quit, that relationship that you want to reach out for or end, you, you do it.

[00:51:46] You know, time is, is, is It's short and you can get it done. We did it. You did it. This was somebody's dream, you know, and it wasn't ours because we didn't know and we're part of it. So do it. Step out on faith [00:52:00] and I'm proud of you already. Congratulations. Awesome. Leash. Oh, I don't, what would I like to leave?

[00:52:08] Uh, just basically, I guess mine would be more geared to black women. Like what you were saying, Tony, like you can do this. Like I remember starting now, I used to be like, well, ain't nobody gonna watch me. I'm a black woman. There's nothing but like white men in this space, but don't let them like shake you.

[00:52:23] You know, somebody has to step into the room. And shake it up and, you know, and let them know that we're here. I'm tired of the stigma that we don't play games that, you know, that we're not nerds, like we're out here and we're a Testament to that. So I guess that was, that's what I would leave to like, especially younger black women, like, don't let this shake you.

[00:52:43] Don't let this industry get to you, do what you need to do, you know, get what you need to get and you got it. Like you're good. And if you don't like reach out to us, we got you. Awesome. Awesome. Tasha. I would like to leave that. Don't forget to [00:53:00] follow, uh, go five GRV on twitch. tv forward slash go five GRV and tune in on November 28th to December 1st to see us take on Las Vegas.

[00:53:13] You should have won last. What? I love it. I love it. I love it. Kai, what do you want to leave with them? What's left? Um, Go black woman. Woo. Yeah. And listen, that, that is as simple as it gets. Go black women. Well, listen. I'm going to say that to you. Go 5GRV. Okay, Kai, Glozell, Leash, Tasha. It's been a pleasure to meet you guys.

[00:53:44] I wish you nothing. Continue massive success. I wish that you continue to touch hearts and inspire people. And more importantly, I wish God continues to bless you individually. Whatever you're looking for. So thank you for coming to a Black Executive Perspective. [00:54:00] Love your spirit, your energy, your intellect, and so much fun.

[00:54:04] And guess what? I'm gonna look forward to seeing you guys in Vegas in a few weeks. I hope you enjoyed this, this episode of a Black Executive Perspective podcast. You were able to see four beautiful Black women who came together, who overcame a lot of different strife and struggles and challenges, and was able to, uh, Jump into opportunities because they're willing to change and they had a great attitude and they came together and they were able to up in the gaming industry.

[00:54:36] That is fantastic. And the lessons that we should take out of this is number one, everyone has a talent. It's in very, I don't care who you are. I don't care where you live at. You have a talent. You may be working somewhere right now and that's not your talent. You have something that you're great at. That is passion.

[00:54:55] You just haven't tapped into it. So it's important to be open to change. [00:55:00] Number two, what you're doing now could be setting you up for something bigger. So perfect it. Be the best at it. I don't care if you're sweeping floors. Be the best person sweeping floors because as Leash said she was a bartender and because she was a bartender and she learned how to deal with the public it helped her for the next episode and then number three finally don't let people put you in a box Okay, I don't care What you look like, I don't care what you, what you, what music you like.

[00:55:29] I don't care where you're from. I don't care if you or your family background, you can do whatever you want to do, stretch out and look at other opportunities just because I don't see any black people doing there, or I don't see this. It's not for me. That is not true. You have the ability to jump into any industry, any opportunity.

[00:55:48] You just got to be open to it. So that now leaves us to a what? Tony tidbits, it's time for Tony's tidbit and the tidbit for today, based on our fabulous [00:56:00] guests, life is like a game. You can play it safe and be good, or you can take a chance and be great. And the ladies from five GRV, they epitomize that. So again, I hope you enjoyed our episode, black female influencers in the gaming space, doing it with five GRV.

[00:56:20] Tune in next week. We're going to have another great episode. Please go to our website, sign up for updates. We're going to be updating. We're going to be launching our, our monthly newsletter. Leave us a review, subscribe. If you haven't, wherever you get your podcast, let us know. How did you like the ladies here?

[00:56:37] Were you inspired? Did you have questions? Let us know, give us that feedback and continue to follow us on all your social platforms from LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, at TonyTidbitBEP. For the fabulous ladies of 5GRV, for my executive producer, Double A, [00:57:00] I'm Tony Tidbit, we talked about it. And we're out.

[00:57:04] Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Tony Tidbit, A Black Executive Perspective, and for joining in today's conversation. With every story we share, every conversation we foster, and every barrier we address, we can ignite the sparks that bring about lasting change. And this carries us one step closer to transforming the face of corporate America.

[00:57:28] If today's episode resonated with you, Consider subscribing and leaving us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with your circle, and with your support, we can reach more people and tell more stories.