We were lucky to catch up with Johnathon Davis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Johnathon, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Upon reading this question, I laughed at what my answer was immediately in my head. “Nothing!” , says my thoughts. However, as a family we have these playful tactics, phrases, and family nicknames that always bring us back to the love that I was raised off of.
My father’s name is Leon Davis, Jr., a hardworking, God-fearing man that has shown me time and time again what it looks like to be a TRUE man. A husband, a father, a preacher, a mentor, and a friend are many of the roles that he has and he does each one in a unique way. The way he loves my mom is the type of black love you don’t see in today’s time. They often share their love story of how they met at a local Domino’s Restaurant in the East Nashville area. My mom worked as a front cashier position while my dad was a delivery driver. I’m sure even then, my dad was showing my mom at that moment who she would be with for the rest of her life. As time surpassed, he became the father that I look up to today. I have a younger brother, and I think I speak for us both when I say we have the best father ever. He has defended us more times than ever when we needed it most, given us sound advice on life experiences, and always has a joke or two to get you through a day. I know for sure I am a “daddy’s boy”. I have always gravitated to my father, even at a very young age I remember having sporting events. Just seeing my pops in the crowd was empowering as a kid. I will never forget a time where my mom was away from the house running errands and at the house it was just myself, my younger brother Joshua, and my pops. I tell this story all the time around the holiday season … but I was hungry that morning, so he decided to make myself and my brother HIS version of scrambled eggs. We laugh about it all the time, but let’s just say the eggs were more on the brown side of the color wheel. No matter how “crispy” they were, my brother and I ate them as if they came from a chicken made of gold. I love you pops, thank you man for everything you’ve done for me.
And then there is my mom … my heartbeat, my headache, my friend, my diary, the one woman that will ever truly love me unconditionally. I have the type of mom that would give her last to anyone she loves, so much so that it often challenges her own health. We have had our moments like most children do with their parents, but the love that we have for each other always brings us back together. We butt heads because, in all honesty, we’re twins. People have said my whole life that I “look” like my pops, which is as true as ever. But the personality, the “snap back”, surely comes from my mom. Valerie Davis, my mom, is one of one. At our house, my mother held a 15+ year daycare service, housing kids from 6 months and beyond. I always knew she loved me because I was her first born son, but to see the love that she gave day in and day out to over 10 children during her career was something that today I think back on and appreciate. My mom during that time was indirectly teaching me that babies are gifts from God and they should be handled with genuine, nurturing care. She would watch movies with the kids, have snack time, take them on field trips (I was so jealous), to the zoo, water parks, have educational components such as reading hour, reciting colors & letters, and so much more. I love you momma, thank you for showing me what a wife, a mother, and just a kindhearted person should look like. You’re amazing, you’re loved, and you are worth it. <3
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
My name is Johnathon Davis and alongside my dad, Leon Davis, Jr., together we host a podcast titled “Black Men Vent Too” here in Nashville, Tennessee. We stand as Black Men Vent Too, LLC. while the podcast is one entity of our business and brand. But as far as the podcast, here’s the niche: We are a father-and-son duo that has created a platform to give you both the millennial perspective and “old school” perspective on various topics surrounding the mental health of black men. We are both from Nashville, have seen the city grow immensely over the years, and knew we wanted to provide something culturally for the city to follow and be proud of. There will forever be racial injustices, stereotypes, and negative narratives that are stamped on all cultures and walks of life. On our podcast, we just want to expound on black culture and allow the voices of black men to be heard and no longer suppressed, ignored, or viewed as insignificant.
Here’s a little more background about us … we are a podcast made up of my pops and myself, creating a platform that again gives you both the millennial and “old school” perspective on various topics surrounding black men and mental health. We have had numerous seasons where black men have vented on the following subjects: Depression, Grief, Coaching & Mentorship, Marriage & Relationships, Election Education, Fatherhood, and so much more. You are getting men at their most vulnerable point who come on to our platform so that they can vent without judgement, ridicule, or negations. Too many times we as black men have been overlooked when we have a voice that needs to be heard as well. Black Men Vent Too, LLC. prides ourselves on being “the voice for the voiceless” in Nashville. Each episode we aim to create content on the unknown, undermined, and unforeseen struggles of black men in hopes that their testimony will help the next black man face their own adversities with confidence.
We as a business are most proud of hosting one of the most influential TV personality judges of all time. Judge Joe Brown joined our show “Black Men Vent Too” on April 4th, 2022. Seeing him on television growing up versus engaging in conversation with him is two totally different experiences. My dad and I truly were blessed to have him on our show. He told us to continue pressing forward with the podcast, and that he was impressed with what we were doing. If you know anything about Judge Joe Brown, he doesn’t smile much. So for my dad and myself to again be able to discuss various things was by far the most amazing experience we’ve had thus far on the Black Men Vent Too Podcast.
WE ALSO HAVE MERCH!
Our story behidn our apparel is nothing too elaborate or of great detail, but we surely have a purpose behind the prices. With the BMVT merch, we hope to provide another avenue of exposure to our podcast by allowing fans and supporters to be “walking billboards” around the city of Nashville and beyond. BMVT has ventured into the fashion space in hopes of creating more opportunities at gaining listeners, support, and overall focus towards our black men. Our goal is not to be the next biggest clothing line, but we will continue to utilize our hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts, keychains, hats and more to get message out that black men have a voice that can be heard on the Black Men Vent Too Podcast.
WE OFFER IN SHOW ADVERTISEMENT!
So here recently, for about a month now on our social media platforms we have been promoting that we’re offering $10 advertisement slots on our show. We have a pretty good analytical presence for only being in the podcasting industry now for a year and 3 months, so we decided to put that to the test and provide business owners with an opportunity to further their reach on our platform. We have 4.7K downloads across all major platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Amazon Music to name a few. We have been heard at least one time in 33 countries around the world. And lastly, we have been heard at least one time in all 50 states. So with that, our $10 advertisement special is offered to black women, white women, any person owning a business big or small, event planners, photographers, musicians, rap artists releasing a new hit song, fashion show coordinators, pop up shop event coordinators, event team promoters, recent graduates, nail techs, barbers, whoever! We realize that our platform not only can help black men, but with an idea like this, it expands our reach to help the masses. We want to see everyone win!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My pivot moment, ironically, came from my love of being on the basketball court. Growing up, I used to eat, sleep, and breathe basketball. My favorite team to this day is the Los Angeles Lakers, and if you know sports, then naturally you’d know my favorite player ever is the late great legend Kobe Bean Bryant. I said all that to say, there was a time where my passion and love for the game was put to the test. I had played in various recreational leagues and travel ball leagues, so when I walked into Gra Mar Middle School preparing to tryout for the team, I just knew I’d make it. I had the type of confidence that said “I know I may not be the best athletically, but I will outwork anybody here”. So I took that attitude to tryouts and as I made it to the final selection of boys, I will never forget the call I got to come out of class and meet with Coach Bryson. Another friend of mine was also called to the coach’s office, and it was there that the coach made his decision to choose my friend over me because “we needed height this season”, says Coach Bryson. I took that moment, and did a complete pivot to another sport that I also would play in my spare time … bowling.
That pivot, little did I know, would change the trajectory of my life. I went to East Nashville Magnet High School and made the men’s bowling team all four years I attended. My junior year, I carried an average so high that it put me in the TSSAA State Bowling Tournament, a 2-day competition hosting the most elite high school bowlers in all of Tennessee. Out of the 70+ kids that competed, I finished 23rd. I transitioned to Cumberland University where I received a partial scholarship and signed to be a part of the Cumberland University Men’s Bowling Team. I had the time of my life with these boys and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. The pivot I made in middle school allowed me to be introduced to a new family, be embraced by the late great Coach Lynne Jordan, and provide me with one hell of a collegiate athlete experience.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
My name is Johnathon Davis and alongside my dad, Leon Davis, Jr., together we host a podcast titled “Black Men Vent Too” here in Nashville, Tennessee. We stand as Black Men Vent Too, LLC. while the podcast is one entity of our business and brand. But as far as the podcast, here’s the niche: We are a father-and-son duo that has created a platform to give you both the millennial perspective and “old school” perspective on various topics surrounding the mental health of black men. We are both from Nashville, have seen the city grow immensely over the years, and knew we wanted to provide something culturally for the city to follow and be proud of. There will forever be racial injustices, stereotypes, and negative narratives that are stamped on all cultures and walks of life. On our podcast, we just want to expound on black culture and allow the voices of black men to be heard and no longer suppressed, ignored, or viewed as insignificant.
Here’s a little more background about us … we are a podcast made up of my pops and myself, creating a platform that again gives you both the millennial and “old school” perspective on various topics surrounding black men and mental health. We have had numerous seasons where black men have vented on the following subjects: Depression, Grief, Coaching & Mentorship, Marriage & Relationships, Election Education, Fatherhood, and so much more. You are getting men at their most vulnerable point who come on to our platform so that they can vent without judgement, ridicule, or negations. Too many times we as black men have been overlooked when we have a voice that needs to be heard as well. Black Men Vent Too, LLC. prides ourselves on being “the voice for the voiceless” in Nashville. Each episode we aim to create content on the unknown, undermined, and unforeseen struggles of black men in hopes that their testimony will help the next black man face their own adversities with confidence.
We as a business are most proud of hosting one of the most influential TV personality judges of all time. Judge Joe Brown joined our show “Black Men Vent Too” on April 4th, 2022. Seeing him on television growing up versus engaging in conversation with him is two totally different experiences. My dad and I truly were blessed to have him on our show. He told us to continue pressing forward with the podcast, and that he was impressed with what we were doing. If you know anything about Judge Joe Brown, he doesn’t smile much. So for my dad and myself to again be able to discuss various things was by far the most amazing experience we’ve had thus far on the Black Men Vent Too Podcast.
WE ALSO HAVE MERCH!
Our story behind our apparel is nothing too elaborate or of great detail, but we surely have a purpose behind the prices. With the BMVT merch, we hope to provide another avenue of exposure to our podcast by allowing fans and supporters to be “walking billboards” around the city of Nashville and beyond. BMVT has ventured into the fashion space in hopes of creating more opportunities at gaining listeners, support, and overall focus towards our black men. Our goal is not to be the next biggest clothing line, but we will continue to utilize our hoodies, sweatpants, t-shirts, keychains, hats and more to get the message out that black men have a voice that can be heard on the Black Men Vent Too Podcast.
WE OFFER IN SHOW ADVERTISEMENT!
So here recently, for about a month now on our social media platforms we have been promoting that we’re offering $10 advertisement slots on our show. We have a pretty good analytical presence for only being in the podcasting industry now for a year and 3 months, so we decided to put that to the test and provide business owners with an opportunity to further their reach on our platform. We have 4.7K downloads across all major platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Amazon Music to name a few. We have been heard at least one time in 33 countries around the world. And lastly, we have been heard at least one time in all 50 states. So with that, our $10 advertisement special is offered to black women, white women, any person owning a business big or small, event planners, photographers, musicians, rap artists releasing a new hit song, fashion show coordinators, pop up shop event coordinators, event team promoters, recent graduates, nail techs, barbers, whoever! We realize that our platform not only can help black men, but with an idea like this, it expands our reach to help the masses. We want to see everyone win!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
My pivot moment, ironically, came from my love of being on the basketball court. Growing up, I used to eat, sleep, and breathe basketball. My favorite team to this day is the Los Angeles Lakers, and if you know sports, then naturally you’d know my favorite player ever is the late great legend Kobe Bean Bryant. I said all that to say, there was a time where my passion and love for the game was put to the test. I had played in various recreational leagues and travel ball leagues, so when I walked into Gra Mar Middle School preparing to try out for the team, I just knew I’d make it. I had the type of confidence that said “I know I may not be the best athletically, but I will outwork anybody here”. So I took that attitude to tryouts and as I made it to the final selection of boys, I will never forget the call I got to come out of class and meet with Coach Bryson. Another friend of mine was also called to the coach’s office, and it was there that the coach made his decision to choose my friend over me because “we needed height this season”, says Coach Bryson. I took that moment, and did a complete pivot to another sport that I also would play in my spare time … bowling.
That pivot, little did I know, would change the trajectory of my life. I went to East Nashville Magnet High School and made the men’s bowling team all four years I attended. My junior year, I carried an average so high that it put me in the TSSAA State Bowling Tournament, a 2-day competition hosting the most elite high school bowlers in all of Tennessee. Out of the 70+ kids that competed, I finished 23rd. I transitioned to Cumberland University where I received a partial scholarship and signed to be a part of the Cumberland University Men’s Bowling Team. I had the time of my life with these boys and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. The pivot I made in middle school allowed me to be introduced to a new family, be embraced by the late great Coach Lynne Jordan, and provide me with one hell of a collegiate athlete experience.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
For our business, the most effective strategy for growing our audience and listeners has been consistency. Consistency in our episode release time, consistency in providing our merchandise to our fans, just having that “can’t stop, won’t stop” mentality. We have released 70 consecutive episodes every Monday dating back to August 2nd, 2021. From then to now, every Monday the Black Men Vent Too Podcast has provided Nashville with cultural content, real conversations, and allowing another black man to vent on our platform. We also take the time to be very embedded into our social media presence. I think it is important in the industry we’re in to get our episodes out, put our faces out, so that the world can see what BMVT is all about. Social media has helped us grow our clientele and will most likely be the leading force to continue that growth. We as a brand need social media to spread our content and message to the masses, but rest assured, my dad and I are always putting in the leg work. We go to pop up shops, culturally led events in Nashville, and just various places passing out business cards and telling the city about our show.
Our trademarked slogan: “Have You Heard A Black Man Vent Today?”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @blackmenvent2
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackMenVentToo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCISDXHJ6QjuSfZ5n8bFyOhA
- Other: Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Amazon Music – find us on all of these platforms under “Black Men Vent Too”
Image Credits
Joshua Taylor – “Taylor Made Images”