Audrey Miller-Okhiria | Mississippi Grit & Generational Wealth | Grooves & Embers Ep. 11

Welcome back to the lounge. In Episode 11, we sit down with Audrey Miller-Okhiria for a masterclass on building a legacy, transitioning careers, and keeping the music alive through it all. Audrey's journey is defined by pure grit and rhythm. Raised by her blue-collar grandparents in Winona and Holly Springs, Mississippi, she learned the discipline and self-sufficiency that would anchor her entire career. We trace her path from those early Mississippi roots to the yard at Clark Atlanta University, where she marched with her flute, pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha, and dominated the airwaves as "DJ Lady Key"—the only female radio DJ at Key93 FM. Audrey shares exactly how she pivoted from hosting morning radio shows to conquering the banking industry in Memphis, eventually building out a major regional wealth management program from the ground up. What We Cover in This Episode: The Mississippi Foundation: How her grandparents' strict routines and early days playing piano for her grandfather's church instilled a lifelong work ethic. HBCU Culture & Radio: Finding her community at Clark Atlanta and making her mark as DJ Lady Key. The Executive Pivot: Navigating the leap from mass communication to banking without a basic accounting background, and earning the licenses necessary to rise to the top. Leadership & The "Grit and Grind": Audrey’s blueprint for young professionals—why you need to focus on building a long-term career rather than chasing instant gratification, and the importance of empathy in leadership. 🎧 Side B: The Guest Crate The laptop is closed and it's time to unwind. Audrey’s musical roots run deep, from classic gospel and Luther Vandross to her prized New Edition vinyl collection. Hit the link below to stream her official Side B: Guest Crate exclusively on Spotify, featuring her ultimate vibe-setter: "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan. 🎙 New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss a session. ───────────────────────────── LISTEN ON ALL PLATFORMS ───────────────────────────── 🎵 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/episode/1R8r... 🎧 Apple Podcasts → [YOUR APPLE PODCASTS LINK] 📺 YouTube →    / @groovesandembers   ───────────────────────────── FOLLOW GROOVES & EMBERS ───────────────────────────── 📸 Instagram → @groovesandembers 🌐 Website → www.thegroovesandembers.com ───────────────────────────── ABOUT THIS CHANNEL ───────────────────────────── Grooves & Embers is inspired by the timeless character of vinyl and the slow ritual of a great cigar — bringing together soulful stories, refined conversation, and meaningful connection. Good music. Great conversation. One smooth burn. #GroovesAndEmbers #Podcast #MusicCulture