Cupid Can’t Save Capitalism, But Community Might

What if love month wasn’t about roses and receipts, but about how we show up for each other when no one is watching? We open with an honest take on Valentine’s Day—the marketing noise, the pressure to perform, and the relief that comes when you write your own rules. From there, we carry that energy to Harlem, where creative history still hums in the streets. Working a gig amid that legacy, we talk about how art, poetry, and presence seed community pride and pass down memory.

The conversation widens into what Black History Month asks of us now. We trade childhood snapshots—barbershops, cookouts, cousins—and name the everyday culture that raised us. Then we tackle leadership across generations: elders who risked life on the walk to the store, and today’s builders who use classrooms, courts, pulpits, and timelines as platforms. Access to museums and historic sites isn’t equal, so we explore how digital tools can help more people in more places discover the depth of Black history and keep it alive.

We spend time honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson, placing his work in context with Dr. King and the civil rights movement. Beyond headlines and hot takes, we weigh intention, outcomes, and the grit it takes to stand in the trench—fighting for voting rights, economic justice, and real representation. It’s a call for nuance and respect, but also a mirror: before we critique, what have we built? That question leads us to our core mission—turning words into work. We share plans for father–son workshops, community gatherings, and practical ways to serve, starting at home with consistent love and accountability.

If you’re here for thoughtful conversation that blends culture, history, and action, you’ll feel at home. Tap play, send this to someone who needs fuel for their week, and then tell us how you’re serving your block. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show—and drop a comment with the local leader who deserves their flowers next.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 1:17

What's up everybody? It is your favorite silver fox from Lloyd. Welcome to Pops and Sun Conversations.

SPEAKER_01 1:26

And you already know who it is. Son here, aka three times.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

And there it is. Hey, we are still in Feb.

SPEAKER_01 1:38

Love is in the air.

SPEAKER_00 1:40

Love is still in the air. So how you feeling, Jake?

SPEAKER_01 1:44

I feel good. I'm a little tired. I ain't gonna lie, but I'm feeling good though.

Opening And February Vibe Check

SPEAKER_00 1:48

Hey, I appreciate the the transparency and really, man, it be days that you know we're uh finishing a project and you know we had a long week, that type of thing. But here we are, brand new Friday for everybody to enjoy the episode. And uh as we said before, we're still in February, so we're gonna talk a little bit about you know the love month, and then we got some news um in the community about what's going on, which uh is still attached to Black History Month. So, Jay, let's let's jump right in because I think we have a lot to cover in a short amount of time. So, where do you want to go first?

SPEAKER_01 2:28

Well, I think we ought to uh start with Valentine's Day, you know. You don't want to do that?

Rethinking Valentine’s Day

SPEAKER_00 2:35

We can, we can, you know. Uh but let me say this because this is a disclaimer for uh just me personally and not for the entire brand of Pops and Sun conversations. So I'm I'm not that guy, man, that that really celebrates the holiday like that. And not saying that it's not important to, you know, acknowledge love and if you have a significant other to make sure that they feel appreciated and seen. I'm just not really into the holiday, man. Like I feel like it's you know, it's about money and you know, social media has taken it to the next level to where, you know, uh all this imagery of what it should look like. Meanwhile, you know, you better just make sure that you guys are good before you worry about trying to create this entire experience.

SPEAKER_01 3:26

Yeah. Yeah, I agree with that. You know, it is um, I I know you said it's not the entire brand, but I I have to agree, though I I'm not gonna say I don't celebrate it. Um I participate, but I do have to, I have to, you know, look at it with a side eye, especially these holidays and really what the marketing and the capitalism and all that stuff. And then to take it even further, when you look at the actual roots of what's behind, like the actual history of Valentine's Day, you know, some people might not want to celebrate it. You know, a lot of these holidays kind of get uh the history gets washed out and folks don't know what they're celebrating or why. They just know they got another reason to spend some money.

SPEAKER_00 4:10

That's good. That's really good because when you think about it, even from a Christmas standpoint, now we know that Christmas is commercialized. Like US Jess is all about, you know, uh commercializing Christmas. But it's interesting because, you know, a lot of parents at some point they're like, you know what, let me just tell my child the truth about Christmas. But that doesn't happen when it comes to Valentine's Day. I I've never heard anyone be like, you know what, this is this is truly the root, this is the history. Uh and you know, it's up to you to go from there. I've I've never heard of that. Like they'll they'll celebrate it and they'll push it, push the entire narrative forever, forever, ever.

SPEAKER_01 4:57

Right. No, no, yeah, yeah, for sure. So, I mean, we we don't gotta get into all of that. That's that's a whole history lesson we give.

SPEAKER_00 5:05

Yeah, it is, man. And it's a rabbit hole. Let's just be real.

SPEAKER_01 5:07

Oh, yeah, yeah. But um, but you know, I actually didn't um really celebrate this year. I was actually working. Okay. Um, yeah, I was working. Um, and since we are, you know, in Black History Month, I'm actually uh very happy to announce that I was in in Harlem. I was in Harlem, New York, you know.

SPEAKER_00 5:28

Um you was with uh with Mason and Cam.

Harlem Trip And Creative Energy

SPEAKER_01 5:36

So yeah, that so that was that was like my first my first experience there. And and I I'll be honest, like you really can can feel the just the essence that Harlem Renaissance, just knowing that so many great artists and and and and uh leaders came from that area. Definitely. Yeah, it was it was definitely an amazing time. It was work, but you know, I I enjoyed myself. And um, as you know, I am a poet, you know, so I had to indulge, you know what I'm saying? I had to, I just had to kind of get out and feel it, you know what I'm saying. So so that was that was really cool. I didn't get to, you know, I didn't I didn't uh buy no chocolates or do no no no none of that, but um, but I enjoy myself nonetheless.

Adult Proms And Solo Self-Love

SPEAKER_00 7:49

That's good, man. It's good to get those experiences in, whatever opportunity that you can take full advantage. So, man, that's cool. You know, um, I participated in a few events uh this past Valentine's weekend. So I had a chance to spend some time at a couple of adult promps, and it really it was more so of just showing up and being someone who is in you know the relationship realm and just kind of having that representation of you know, someone who may not necessarily be in a relationship or you know, be in you know something super romantic, but just kind of having that representation of someone that does understand the importance of being able to have uh a voice, you know, and talk about your experiences and expectations and and just being able to navigate that people that have uh you know been married before, been in long-term relationships, those type of things that that I speak on, man. So it was really cool. There was a lot of fine women in the building. In each building, there was a lot of fine women, Jay. When I tell you like all types of of uh chocolates, it was a box of chocolate.

SPEAKER_01 9:03

Sorted, the whole assorted, man.

Social Media Red Dress Trend

SPEAKER_00 9:06

And uh it was a variety of folks, it wasn't just uh you know women of color, it was it was really elegant, and uh I had a really good time. So uh big shout out to those that invited me to you know their events to uh just be a part of the essence since we're kind of throwing around that world, uh that word. So yeah, man, it was it was cool. So I got a couple of pictures, and you can check those out on our uh social media handles, of course, Pops Sun Conversations. You can check it out. Uh, I dropped a few of uh really, really cool pictures and images, and and and Jay, that seemed to have been uh a staple this year. I've seen so many women specifically with these photo shoots of love and and red dresses and flowers, and even if they were single, they wanted to represent you know love for the month. Did you did you notice that in uh in the social media world?

SPEAKER_01 10:05

Yeah, yeah. My time, my timeline was red. It was all red, man. Which uh, you know, I'm not mad at it. What do you what do you think that's about though, Pops?

Pivot To Black Community

SPEAKER_00 10:14

Like, is that is that a signaling something, or is it I think I think it serves a few different things, and and we gonna I'm gonna say this and we're gonna move on because again, that's a rabbit hole waiting to be climbed in. Um, I I think that it was a message, first of all. I think women were sending messages saying that, hey, regardless if I have a man or not, I'm still going to be loved. And so uh if I have to do it my damn self, you know, this is what love looks like. It's not about what others are pouring into me, it's uh uh about me pouring into myself. So I think that's the first thing, and the second thing is um, you know, what you see is possibly what you can get if you're the right person. So I also think you know, there's always a little sultry, little, a little seductive mess uh uh subliminals that are out there. So I think it had a combination of the two, but ladies, you did you did good. Uh, you know, doing that. Um, and and everything that I saw, man, I mean there was there was some risque stuff, you know, that just kind of comes with the territory. But for the most part, man, I thought it was uh I thought it was some beautiful imagery. So and then you know, if that makes them feel good and great, by all means, you know, do it.

SPEAKER_01 11:30

Keep the tradition alive, keep it going, man.

SPEAKER_00 11:33

Keep it going. All right, so let's kind of dig in in uh you know black history. Uh, you know, this particular month, Jay, I I think that it's um important to talk about community. Be we we talk about you know, inventors and we we talk about you know different catalysts of certain movements, but uh I think we should kind of delve in a little bit into uh community. Yeah. Yeah. So uh so what's your thoughts? Like what are the the things that come in mind when when you talk about you know um our community?

Memory And Everyday Culture

SPEAKER_01 12:11

First things that I think about when I when I hear community, black community, I think about I think about my childhood. I think about um I think about barbershops, I think about family get-togethers, gatherings, I think about cookouts. Yeah, um, I think about my cousins. Um, I just, you know, uh, I just think about my peoples.

Generational Leadership Shifts

SPEAKER_00 12:38

That's good. That's good, and that's important because, you know, these are uh part of our memories, uh part of our marinade, if you will, as we grow up. And and these are also things that we share in the generations to come. So of course, you know, Parker, he's gonna be hearing stories uh about his dad and his uh G-Paw um on a podcast and on TV and stuff like that. So, you know, I think it will be remiss if if we don't mention you know our community, our black history. So uh that's pretty dope, man. But I want to add to that, and I think as as the generations, as we you know, maybe backtrack and look at history, our history, and as we move forward, we have to acknowledge leadership in our community, right? You know, that is so important because uh, you know, if we look at you know, your granddad, my dad, that's a different type of leadership, right? They were literally fighting for their lives on a daily basis. Literally, you know, just trying to get to the to the grocery store, just walking down the street. Uh, it's a different, it's a different world. Um, even though there are still some of the same stigmas and some of the same challenges, but man, literally life, life and death. So I think the uh the extreme that we have to look at is how vital leadership was because the communities needed direction, right? And um it's like what is the messaging? Because back then, I mean, the messaging is is like look, this is this is the world that we live in, and these are the things that we deserve, these are the rights that we're not getting, but we deserve. I mean, they literally had to talk about equality, yeah. Right now, I don't I don't think that that is such an issue today because of the strides that we made, but you got to think about back then, man, certain words that you said, certain places that you went could get you caught up. There was no there was no 4K uh smartphones to show evidence of what's going on, man. You literally had to watch each other's back in a different way, man. So uh that's crucial.

SPEAKER_01 15:54

Leadership I couldn't I couldn't imagine. Um, I really couldn't. And I'm that's why I'm so grateful for those, you know, our our ancestors, right? You know, my grandfather, you know, you know, having to endure that, you know, so that we have these type of privileges and rights today. Like I can't last. I just couldn't even I couldn't even imagine.

Access, Museums, And Geography

SPEAKER_00 16:15

It's tough, man. It's tough. Uh, but but again, I'm I'm thankful that you know we're in a time where we have access and resources to tools to learn about that stuff, you know, because not everybody can get to the African-American museum in in DC. And you know, not everybody has access to you know the MLK spot here in Atlanta. I mean, uh imagine somebody in in in West West uh what I T Pay uh T Pain says West Kanson. Imagine somebody there trying to get to historical uh you know resources and tools and access to to different things, man, uh about the African-American culture. You know, someone in in a Montana and uh you know that type of that type of thing to where you know it's not really heavily populated with those type of things, man. So uh I don't take for granted of us living in and being here in Atlanta, Georgia with so much culture and the arts and things like that.

SPEAKER_01 17:31

Yeah, a lot of history. A lot of history. I'm like I said, I'm so I'm just like I, you know, because we talk about we always talk about black history and talk about all these different different leaders and things like that, but there's just so much that that goes unsaid and overlooked. Right. You know what I mean? And then there's moments, there's these key moments in time that serve as reminders for us. And then here comes the overflow of, oh, this happens, and oh, you know what I'm saying? Like we get to we get to understand like just how how severe and how powerful these leaders were to us.

Unsung Local Leaders

Honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson

SPEAKER_00 18:15

Yeah. Yeah, you know, speaking of leaders, you know, in our time, uh, before we go into the black history, uh, be you know, uh before us, in our time, of course, looking at leaders like uh, you know, Barack Obama, um, you know, uh uh Jesse Jackson and um you know the the leaders that are here. I mean, we can also look at um uh a Ben Crumpet if you want to go there, uh Al Sharpton. Uh you know, and those may be more the popular ones, uh, but really there's a lot of leadership within our community that that does go unnoticed. And and Jay, you know, to be honest, man, I I think that sometimes we get caught up in in the popularity of the community leaders. And and you know, there's those in right here in our community that uh that are doing a lot and and making a lot of strides for us. And even if it's uh information, you know, even if it's constant information, you have a a Benex, you know that guy? No, I don't. Um, you know, obviously, you know, we have uh Minister uh Farrakhan. Right, yeah. Um, you know, like it doesn't necessarily have to be based in uh you know US traditional uh politics. I think people get caught up in politics versus true leadership in community, um, because I don't think that that both of those are necessarily synonymous. Like we have to look at some things that that may not necessarily be religion-based, you know, coming from that, or we can look at, you know, just folks, you know, maybe in education or or uh in athletics or just you know, in uh talking about you know, our veterans, you know, things like that I feel like are extremely important that we have to look at. But I do think we should take uh you know take some time to talk about uh our leader uh that has uh recently passed, unfortunately, man. And you know, I want you to kind of talk about uh the Reverend, you know, Jesse Jackson. Folk, folks, forget about that, man. They need to put some respect on his name, man. Yeah, folks calling him Jesse like they knew him like that. Straight up because when you think historically, uh with uh you know MLK, uh you know, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Uh when we talk about the um Joseph E. Lowry, uh Josea Williams, and things like that, man, you you have to uh look at the uh impact in the representation of of uh Reverend uh Jesse Jackson.

Mentorship, Loss, And Resolve

SPEAKER_01 23:01

Yeah. So I you know I I always admit this. I'm not afraid to admit it. You know, I was born in '94. You know what I'm saying? So when I when I think of um Reverend Jesse Jackson, I don't, like I don't have the, I don't think I had the same imagery as a lot of as a lot of people older than me do. Like I heard the name, you know what I'm saying? Like uh Reverend Jesse Jackson. I'm not even gonna lie to you. To me, like what pops out, and I hate to say this, is that that scene in uh the barbershop that said then remember that scene um in the barbershop, the movie with said the entertainment? And I'm not gonna repeat what what he said, but that's what pops out to me. So I had to go and do my my due diligence to really understand um you know his position and civil rights his position in the movement and um and what he did for everybody. So uh just understanding that he, the time that he grew up, what you kind of spoke about, this is times where you know people were getting the fire hose and getting sick on and all these different types of things. So that's what he saw growing up. And um in his mind, he's like, yo, you know, I want to make change. So um, you know, like I said, I did my due diligence, him being basically like a protege of Dr. Martin Luther King, um, getting involved with the uh what was it called? The Conference, the South. Uh, the name is escaping me right now. Uh the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, that's what it was, which was Dr. King's organization. Um so yeah, a lot of people don't know. Um, you know, uh Reverend Jesse Jackson was right there when uh Dr. King was assassinated. So when you think about basically your mentor, watching your mentor, you know, seeing his downfall, um, what that could do um to a person, you know what I'm saying? He's studying under him and really, you know, following his guidance. Um, so I think um, you know, that was kind of uh a catalyst for him. Yeah. You know what I mean? To really to get down and start doing his thing. Yeah. So um, oh I'm sorry, yeah, I'm just I'm just going on. But uh, but yeah, so I I had uh, you know, I had I had to figure out like who, you know, especially and I hate that it comes, you know, at people's demise, but I did I just didn't know. So I you know, I did my research and I had to um kind of feel like who's this this this Jesse Jackson guy?

Nuance, Critique, And Impact

SPEAKER_00 25:38

Right. Um and and I I think that a lot of people share, especially your generation, shares the same sentiments because of course we're talking about you know being in an era of information, but more so tech, you know, and so even if you go and do your due diligence, you're gonna go to a search engine that's gonna give you what they want you to know, right? So you still have to look at that type of narrative, but you know, just being candid uh about it. Uh Reverend Jesse Jackson, you have to put some respect on his name because regardless of the conspiracies, regardless of some of the intricacies that aren't necessarily shared, maybe not even verified, but have been uh have been perpetuated, he stood for black communities. Right? So you so you have to think of people that are standing on the sideline, and then you have to think of people that are actually in the trenches. And so he was in the trenches. He was in the trenches with the leaders. Um, he was in the trenches of sharing the message of uh you know, civil rights, you know, the community, the community fight, the economic uh justice in the black neighborhoods, jobs, uh boy, boycotts, what with voting, and just kind of representation uh of uh you know the black communities and and obviously you know the coalition as well. And and he he was there. He he did not uh hide behind anyone. Uh he was involved. And um that is an above average legacy that has to be respected because again, there there's people now. I think I saw something on social media saying, oh, we're not gonna celebrate him, he was a sellout and things like that. He's done a lot more for the community than the average person, right? So just looking at it from that vantage point, there's gotta be some respect there.

From Talk To Tangible Action

SPEAKER_01 27:44

Yeah, and I just want to add, like, I don't think that you know, any anybody that's worth studying, you know, there's anybody that like nobody's without controversy, basically. You know what I mean? Like everybody's gonna have um, you know, pros and cons, what you like and what you dislike. Any any leader that you want to that you want to look up, nobody's gonna be perfect at what they're doing, but you gotta look at the intention and what was actually accomplished as well. So like you said, like uh look at yourself and then look at who you're criticizing. What have you done for your community? What have you done um, you know, to to help advance your people? And if you can't really point the finger at yourself, don't think you should be pointing the finger at anybody else.

SPEAKER_00 28:33

Amen. Amen to that. Look, um you know, wrapping this thing up, uh again, we still have to look at what type of impact we're making in our in our community. Like you said, um, I think podcasts are awesome. Um, but it again, that's you know, giving a perspective that's having dialogue, but really making a true difference is gonna be, you know, your actions and your activities in your community. And I think, you know, you can start with personal behavior, you can start with um, you know, the impact that you're making in your household, you could talk about uh intention, intentionality of doing things. And you know, that's why I I love our particular mission, you know, uh building the the father and son dynamic is so crucial right now. So, you know, as as we put together these conferences and these workshops and things like that, which I'm kind of spilling the beans a little bit, that's gonna be happening. Uh, those to me is it's true impact because we have enough criticism over why, you know, so we can talk about what we're not doing, what we should have been doing, what what other folks should be doing and focusing on. But if you're not truly making the uh the strides and impact through your activity, uh your actions and your attitude, then what you really doing?

SPEAKER_01 30:03

What you saying? You ain't saying nothing. You talking, you ain't talking about nothing.

SPEAKER_00 30:11

Hey, I think we're gonna keep this conversation going. Uh, you know, we we can we can always talk about black history and impact in our community, but just remember it's a little bit more about talking about it and and you know, sharing uh information and and perspective, I think is gonna go a long way. So that's why we love doing this podcast. Because yeah, we talked a little bit about politics, but we talked a lot more about community, and so being able to get the perspective of a father and son, you know, you gotta show love for that. So that's why we appreciate so much, you know, um, of the support. And uh, with that being said, look, we're gonna see you guys next round. Uh, so big shout out to all of the support, uh, much love, pops and son conversations. We'll see you next episode. It's your favorite silver fox, Rob Malloy.

SPEAKER_01 31:04

And is checked three times, and we are out of here.

SPEAKER_00 31:08

We gone.