#15 - Mark Harrison - Origins of MH3, Reflections on the Movement for Equality, and Selling Yourself

It Takes A C-Tribe Village

Preface: The origins of the phrase are a mystery. It takes a village to raise a child is a proverb spirited from African or Native American cultures. The phrase translates into saying that it takes an entire community of different people interacting with children for children to experience and grow in a safe environment. The thought leaders, game-changers, and innovators we look up to are often impacted by the same thing: they’ve been exposed to people, environments, and interactions that have helped shape and define who they are today. The It Takes a C-Tribe Village Podcast aims to identify, dissect, and celebrate the unsung heroes, things, and experiences that have impacted the greatest minds of our generation and how these individuals are paying it forward for those to come. Guest: Mark Harrison, MH3 Collective Interviewer: Sahr Saffa, Chairperson, C-Tribe Bio: Mark Harrison is the founder of the MH3 Collective, a group of ventures whose purpose is to connect people & ideas to create social impact. The Collective includes Humanity, a creative agency for the Human Age; Sidekick, a team of purpose-driven strategy consultants; T1, a sponsorship agency that works with impactful brands; and SponsorshipX, a global community of marketing practitioners. In addition, he co-founded the Black Talent Initiative to support the Black community in professional workplaces and Park Street Education, a charity to remove all barriers to children’s education. His community involvement also includes being Board Chair of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, a Board Member of the CAMH Foundation, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/The JUNO Awards, Ontario University Athletics, and an advisor to several ventures, including the Crankworx World Tour, and NFL Canada. In addition, Mark sits on the Board of Playmaker Capital, a leading digital sports media company. Mark is a recipient of the Harry Jerome Award (Business Category), annually presented by the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). In addition, his success in marketing over the last thirty years has led him to be the Association of Canadian Advertisers’ 2022 Gold Medal Award winner. Mark is also CBC Metro Morning’s business columnist, where you can hear his regular takes on corporate and societal matters. 00:00:00 - Introduction and Reflection on Gratitude 00:05:30 - Mark's Reflection on Colin Kaepernick and George Floyd 00:10:39 - Mark's Entrepreneurial Journey and Background 00:15:11 - Mark's Motivation and Purpose in Entrepreneurship 00:19:11 - Mark's Framework for Building Companies 00:25:41 - Mark's Approach to Selling to Yourself 00:30:45 - Mark's Thoughts on Thought Leadership and Events 00:44:35 - Designing Engaging and Inclusive Events 00:49:33 - Expressing Gratitude and Thankfulness