Talk Dat Talk | Your Black Celebrity Gossip, Culture News & Trending Tea

Category: Career Milestones and Entrepreneurship

  • Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks Names New COO

    Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, the Atlanta-based brand known for its cult-favorite sandwiches, is gearing up for its next phase of national growth. To help steer this expansion, the company has appointed seasoned restaurant executive Shawna Snyder as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO).

    Driving National Growth and Operational Excellence

    Snyder steps into the role at a pivotal time for Big Dave’s, as the company transitions from building momentum to establishing robust infrastructure. Her expertise will be crucial in scaling operations and guiding the brand’s expanding footprint, especially following new supply partnerships with Amoroso’s Baking Company and Philly’s Best Steak Company.

    Derrick Hayes, Founder and CEO of Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks, expressed his confidence in Snyder’s abilities. “Shawna doesn’t just manage growth, she engineers it,” Hayes stated. “As we strengthen our supply chain and expand our national footprint, her leadership ensures we scale with precision, protect our culture, and build long-term value for our franchise partners.”

    A Seasoned Executive Joins the Team

    Snyder brings decades of experience in scaling multi-unit restaurant concepts. Most recently, she served as Vice President of National Accounts at Avanti Restaurant Solutions, where she managed strategy and execution for high-growth brands, overseeing new store development and expansion. Her reputation as a systems builder who can translate brand buzz into sustainable business operations has earned her industry-wide recognition, including being named one of Total Food Service’s Top Women in Foodservice & Hospitality in 2025.

    Balancing Growth with Authenticity

    Reflecting on her new role, Snyder said, “Big Dave’s has built an incredibly powerful cultural and culinary brand. My focus is aligning operations, systems, and infrastructure to support sustainable long-term growth while protecting the guest experience and what makes this brand special.” This focus on balancing growth with authenticity is critical for fast-casual brands aiming to scale while maintaining their unique identity.

    Founded by Derrick Hayes in honor of his late father, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks has grown from a small gas station shop into a rapidly expanding name in the fast-casual market. The brand’s success is attributed to its bold flavors, viral visibility, and strong cultural identity. With Snyder now at the helm of operations, the company is set for a more disciplined phase of expansion, prioritizing both systems and storytelling.

    What are your favorite Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks menu items? Let us know in the comments below!

  • Georgia Drivers Wrongfully Charged with DUIs

    Imagine being charged with a DUI, spending a night in jail, only to find out later that you were completely sober. This is the reality for hundreds of drivers in Georgia, as new findings reveal they were wrongfully charged due to unreliable field sobriety tests.

    Blood Tests Expose Flawed Sobriety Checks

    An investigation by WSB-TV has uncovered that over 700 drivers in Georgia who underwent testing in 2025 had no illegal or prescription drugs in their system. This discovery came after an open records request for Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) blood tests. The findings suggest that the field sobriety tests used by law enforcement may be significantly flawed.

    These tests are typically administered when a driver is believed to be under the legal alcohol limit. However, the investigation indicates that these tests might be producing false positives, leading to unjust arrests. The GBI itself has stated that the blood test findings should be considered an “estimate,” raising further concerns about the accuracy of the initial charges.

    Victims Speak Out Against Injustice

    The implications of these faulty tests are devastating for those affected. Lenny Daniel, a 65-year-old Georgian, shared his experience of being charged with a DUI despite blowing a .000 on a breathalyzer. A police officer claimed a field sobriety test indicated drugs in his system, leading to an overnight stay in custody, only for a later blood test to prove his innocence.

    Victims like Daniel are speaking out, calling for accountability and questioning the use of methods with high false positive rates. “It’s a shame to be arresting innocent people like that who did nothing wrong,” Daniel expressed, highlighting the emotional and practical toll of such wrongful accusations.

    Calls for More Accurate Testing Methods

    Experts are also weighing in. Joshua Ott, a former police officer and DUI expert witness, stated, “We are using supposedly scientific evidence that has very high false positive rates.” Studies have already confirmed the unreliability of these widely used field sobriety tests, suggesting they could lead to more unnecessary arrests and threaten individuals’ lives and autonomy.

    Despite the growing awareness of these issues and the confirmation of faulty tests, lawmakers have yet to call for the implementation of newer, more accurate methods for determining drug impairment. This leaves many Georgians vulnerable to potentially life-altering charges based on unreliable evidence.

    What do you think about these findings? Should Georgia implement more reliable methods for DUI testing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • Skye P. Marshall: From Hustle to ‘Matlock’ Stardom

    Skye P. Marshall is a name you’ll want to remember. The Chicago native is making waves as Olympia Lawrence on CBS’s ‘Matlock,’ but her journey to the spotlight is a testament to perseverance, trusting one’s instincts, and the power of belonging. Marshall’s story is particularly inspiring for women of color breaking into the industry on their own terms.

    A Detour Through Service and Corporate Life

    Marshall’s path wasn’t a straight line to Hollywood. Her early life was filled with dance and theater, but financial realities led her to join the U.S. Air Force after starting college at Hampton University. Following her service and earning her degree, she moved to New York, building a successful career in pharmaceutical marketing. For a time, this life felt complete.

    However, after two years, a deep sense of unease began to surface. Marshall vividly recalls seeing an image of her younger self, full of passion, seemingly disappointed. “I remember feeling shame. I remember feeling guilty for letting my younger self down,” she shared. This internal conflict prompted a pivotal conversation with her mother and a heartfelt plea for guidance: “God, please tell me what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.”

    The Dream That Led to Los Angeles

    The answer, Marshall believes, came in a vivid dream filled with images of her acting, walking red carpets, and living a life aligned with her true purpose. This powerful vision spurred her to leave her corporate job, secure unemployment benefits for time to transition, and move to Los Angeles in 2009.

    In LA, Marshall embraced a series of “survival jobs” – background acting, driving for Uber, and catering. But she didn’t view them as mere means to an end. Instead, she saw them as essential parts of her journey, opportunities for character study and networking. “I looked at them as the path, the path to every single person that was going to help pass the baton in my career,” she explained.

    Bringing Olympia Lawrence to Life

    Now, as Olympia Lawrence in ‘Matlock,’ Marshall brings a nuanced portrayal of ambition within a high-stakes law firm. Her character, a junior partner navigating a divorce while vying for a senior partner role, has resonated deeply, particularly with Black women. Marshall intentionally crafted Olympia’s persona – from her wardrobe to her speech – with this audience in mind.

    “About 75% of people that stop me on the street about Olympia Lawrence and Matlock are Black women,” she shared. “The joy that that brings me is really something special.” This connection underscores the importance of representation and seeing oneself reflected on screen.

    Embracing All Versions of Herself

    Marshall’s career has also been shaped by her relationship with ‘Matlock’ co-star Kathy Bates, a connection she describes as mutually supportive. Yet, success doesn’t overshadow life’s challenges, including her mother’s dementia, which adds a layer of poignancy to her achievements.

    Ultimately, Marshall emphasizes authenticity and integration of all her life experiences. “Don’t let go of Chicago in you… Don’t let go of the corporate woman in you, don’t let go of the military woman in you, and don’t let go of the little girl in you,” she advises. By allowing her inner child’s imagination to lead, she remains grounded in her purpose, knowing, “I belong.”

    What inspires you most about Skye P. Marshall’s journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!