Welcome to At The Table!

Join hosts Elliott and Greg for an inspiring conversation with Trell Thomas, founder of the Black Excellence Brunch movement. From small-town South Carolina to the White House, Trell shares his journey of building community, stepping out on faith, and creating a global celebration of Black achievement.

In this episode: ✨ How Sunday dinners became a cultural movement ✨ From Obama campaign organizer to LA entrepreneur ✨ Creating the first Black Excellence Brunch at the White House ✨ The power of authentic storytelling and intentional design ✨ Never telling yourself "no" and making room for bigger dreams

Featured moments:

1. Alice Smith concert with Miles Canton & Stevie Wonder
2. Meeting President Obama and entering politics
3. Building community through brunch culture
4. Fashion inspiration from Marvin Gaye to Pharrell
5. Self-care rituals and the art of the bath

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In this powerful and uplifting episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with trailblazing model, actress, and activist Isis King for an honest conversation about courage, growth, and stepping fully into your power.

Isis made history as the first openly transgender woman to compete on America’s Next Top Model, forever changing visibility for trans women in mainstream media. She opens up about navigating national television during a very different cultural moment, the pressures of transitioning publicly, and what it meant to carry representation on her shoulders at just 21 years old.

From her early days in ballroom culture inspired by Paris Is Burning, to acting roles in When They See Us, The L Word: Generation Q, and Amazon’s With Love, Isis reflects on how trans representation has evolved — and where there’s still work to be done.

The conversation shifts to confidence and self-protection as Isis shares how training in Taekwondo transformed her sense of safety and personal power, helping her reclaim control after difficult experiences. She also speaks candidly about dating in today’s culture, being demisexual, protecting her energy, and learning to choose connection over validation.

Throughout the episode, Isis reminds us that joy, strength, and manifestation are practices — not destinations. Whether discussing mentorship, Marvel superheroes like Storm, or building financial stability for herself and her family, her message is clear: true power starts from within.

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, growth, and self-definition.

Follow Isis King: @msisisking

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This week, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with Jeffrey T.D. Wallace, President & CEO of LeadersUp, to talk about what it really takes to build economic mobility—especially for young people who’ve been locked out of opportunity.

Jeff breaks down how LeadersUp began (and why “not in school, not working” doesn’t mean “lazy”), what he calls “power-building” with young people, and how mentorship, storytelling, and policy all connect to workforce outcomes. The conversation also hits big-picture questions: equity vs. equality, the “benefits cliff,” why financial success doesn’t solve your problems, and how the shift into an AI-driven economy could either widen gaps—or create new lanes—depending on who gets prepared now.

Plus: the crew connects the dots to what’s coming to Los Angeles—All-Star Weekend, the World Cup, the Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics—and why LA needs a real workforce plan so local communities aren’t left watching money flow right past them.

This week on At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with actor, producer, and entrepreneur Maia Modeste for a wide-ranging conversation about purpose, money, creativity, and building something that truly serves people.

Maia opens up about her journey from acting and producing to founding Kirabo, a financial wellness platform designed to help individuals and families build generational wealth without shame, jargon, or gatekeeping. She breaks down why so many high-achieving people still struggle with money, how financial literacy gaps persist across class lines, and what it looks like to meet communities where they actually are.

The conversation also explores faith, burnout, entrepreneurship, Hollywood survival, leadership, and why rest and discipline matter just as much as ambition. Plus, the group dives into culture, career pivots, the legacy of Black Panther, and wraps with Be Honest, Don’t Hold Back and Chef’s Kiss or Miss.

An honest, thoughtful episode about money, mindset, and building a life with intention.

In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, hosts Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with acclaimed playwright and director Dennis Williams for a thoughtful conversation about Black theater, cultural legacy, and the responsibility of storytelling.

Dennis reflects on the inspiration behind his celebrated work I Cried the Blues, sharing how history, music, and lived experience inform his creative process. The discussion explores the enduring power of theater as a space for truth-telling, healing, and preserving community stories, even as the arts face financial and institutional challenges.

Together, they examine the importance of honoring creative elders, building intergenerational connections, and protecting Black narratives from being diluted or forgotten. Dennis also opens up about his journey in theater, the realities of sustaining purpose-driven work, and why live performance continues to be a vital platform for connection and impact.

Blending humor, insight, and cultural reflection, this episode offers a compelling look at art, legacy, and what it truly means to create with intention.

In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper are joined by Camara Mathis-Webb and Ryan Webb for an honest, thoughtful conversation about marriage, parenting, and navigating modern life together.

Camara and Ryan open up about their journey from high school sweethearts in Detroit to building a life as parents of two daughters, sharing how their relationship has evolved through different seasons of growth. The conversation explores communication in marriage, balancing careers and family, and the realities of raising kids in a digital world.

The group also dives into topics like emotional intelligence, setting boundaries, co-parenting as a team, and how social media impacts relationships and parenting expectations. With humor, vulnerability, and real-life perspective, this episode offers a refreshing look at partnership, commitment, and what it truly takes to grow together.

This episode is a candid, relatable discussion for anyone navigating love, family, and long-term relationships — no filters, no clichés, just real conversation at the table.

This week on At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with media personality and journalist Archie Jay, creator of The Arch Effect, co-host of ReKap with Colt Paulsen, and Vice President of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Archie opens up about his journey from Midwest radio to digital media, the evolving role of Black journalists in the creator economy, and how traditional journalism can coexist with podcasts, YouTube, and social platforms. The conversation explores integrity, trust, and visibility in media, especially as audiences increasingly turn to independent voices over legacy news.

The episode dives into pop culture and entertainment, including Archie’s work covering the Kardashians, Bravo and Real Housewives franchises, and his candid thoughts on figures like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Brandy, Byron Allen, Tyler Perry, Andy Cohen, and Ryan Murphy. Greg and Elliott also unpack how capitalism, branding, and algorithms have reshaped reality TV and celebrity culture.

Later, the table gets personal as Archie discusses grief, mental health, dating, authenticity online, and the pressure creators face when numbers don’t match impact. The episode wraps with a lively round of “Be Honest, Don’t Hold Back,” touching on redemption, power, and legacy in Black culture—plus a Chef’s Kiss or Miss food review.

A thoughtful, funny, and wide-ranging conversation about media, culture, creativity, and showing up with purpose.

In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper are joined by Sarah Allyn Bauer, COO, and Veronica McClelland, CEO of Towne Street Theatre, one of Los Angeles’ longest-running community theatre companies.

The conversation dives into Towne Street Theatre’s 32-year legacy, its origins following the LA uprising, and its ongoing mission to tell stories that challenge, heal, and build community. Sarah and Veronica share what it takes to sustain a nonprofit theatre company in today’s climate — from funding realities and labor costs to adapting to the digital age while remaining rooted in live, communal storytelling.

Greg and Elliott also kick off the episode with a personal update, including Greg’s For Your Consideration campaign for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie for Fighting To Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story, before moving into the Culture Catch Up spotlight on August Wilson and the lasting impact of his work on American theater.

The episode closes with a look ahead at Towne Street Theatre’s upcoming programming, including the Black Classic Series, reading series, and the 13th Annual 10-Minute Play Festival, plus a lighthearted Chef’s Kiss or Miss featuring California Chicken Cafe.