# 97-RISE UP: Building Connection & Community with small business owner Nicole

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/awaken-with-maria-6610800/97-rise-up-building-connection-community-with-small-business-owner-nicole
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/awaken-with-maria-6610800/97-rise-up-building-connection-community-with-small-business-owner-nicole.md
Podcast: [AWAKEN with Maria](https://stenobird.com/podcast/awaken-with-maria-6610800)
Published: 2026-02-27T20:45:15+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mariaserbus/episodes/97-RISE-UP-Building-Connection--Community-with-small-business-owner-Nicole-e3fnc0v
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/b372f3e0/podcast/play/116157919/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-1-27%2F418973342-44100-2-759dacfb7164d.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/awaken-with-maria-6610800/episodes/97-rise-up-building-connection-community-with-small-business-owner-nicole
Duration seconds: 1775

## Resource

Tune into this powerful conversation with Nicole “Cole” Nfonoyim-Hara, owner of Griot Arts in Rochester, MN as we discuss how leaning into community & connection is necessary during crazy & uncertain times. While they"may want us divided, Nicole & her work and mission at Griot Arts is a testament to the power of leaning in to community & lifting each other up. Griot Arts is a bookstore & celebration of the art community lifting up black artists and artists of diverse backgrounds. Nicole “Cole” Asong Nfonoyim-Hara* is committed to liberation and healing through story and the power of language, narrative, and the written word. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in NYC, her Cameroonian, Afro-Costa Rican and Indian roots/routes ground her creative work and practice. She is founder and director of Griot Arts , an arts hub centering Black literature and art. Her work has taken her around the country and the world. Her writing has been recognized by the Loft Literary Center, Minnesota State Arts Board, Givens Foundation for African American Literature, and VONA/Voices of Our Nation. While this conversation was originally planned for IG live as part of the RISE UP series, d/t technical difficulties we premiered it on the podcast. Tune into all 3 episodes of the RISE Up [ ⁠here⁠ ] https://higherselfawakening.com/

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## Transcript

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