Meet Seko Varner

We were lucky to catch up with Seko Varner recently and have shared our conversation below.

Seko, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I often say I didn’t really “find” my purpose—it revealed itself through the different chapters of my life.

I was born in Brooklyn, raised in Ohio, and came to Virginia in 1990. My parents laid the foundation: they taught me faith, exposed me to Pan-African culture, and always reminded me that every action should improve the family and community. That shaped how I see the world.

In education, I started as a counselor and special education teacher, and I saw families overwhelmed by barriers. I found myself connecting them to resources, mentors, and opportunities. Over time I realized—that’s my gift. I don’t just teach, I connect people to what they need to thrive.

That same instinct led me to create The Hampton Roads Green Book®. Inspired by the historic guide, I saw too many Black-owned businesses with great products but little visibility. Today, the Green Book connects nearly 2,000 businesses with the community, shining a light on culture and entrepreneurship.

And as a father of two exceptional children, I’ve gained a new awareness. They push me to keep evolving, to stay progressive, and to build a world that’s more inclusive, fair, and opportunity-driven.

So my purpose has never been tied to one career. Whether in schools, mentorship, or business, I live to connect people with opportunities and resources that empower them—and that’s what I keep building every day.

When I began my career as a student counselor and later as a special education teacher, I met families who often felt overwhelmed by barriers—academic, financial, or social. I found myself stepping in, not just to explain the rules, but to connect them to resources, mentors, or programs that could change the trajectory of a student’s life. It was in those moments that I noticed: my gift wasn’t only teaching—it was connecting people to opportunities.

That same instinct guided me outside the classroom. I launched mentorship programs like The Golden Fold, because I knew that young men of color needed not just advice, but connections to role models and real pathways forward. As I grew in leadership roles—whether as Economic Advancement Chair of the 200+ Men, running for school board, or even pivoting into real estate and private funding during the pandemic—I was driven by the same core mission: empower others by building bridges.

The Hampton Roads Green Book® grew out of this same drive. I kept meeting small business owners, especially Black-owned businesses, who had excellent products and services but were hidden from view. They needed visibility, connection, and community support. Drawing inspiration from the original Green Book, which guided Black travelers during segregation, I created a modern version tailored to our region. Today, with nearly 2,000 listings, the Hampton Roads Green Book is more than a directory—it’s a platform that connects residents to local businesses, celebrates culture, and strengthens our economic fabric.

One picture that stays with me is the relaunch of the Parent Resource Center in Norfolk. Parents would walk in anxious and unsure. I’d sit with them, listen to their fears, and then connect them to information, advocates, or simply reassurance that they weren’t alone. I realized then that connection is more than a transaction—it’s a transformation. That same vision fuels every project I undertake, whether in schools, business, or the community. I didn’t just “find” my purpose… I’ve followed plans and paths and found ways to connect the dots.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

What I do can best be summed up in one phrase: I’m a professional helper and connector. My work spans education, business, and community, but at the heart of it all is a passion for connecting people with the opportunities, resources, and relationships that empower them.

My journey started in Columbus, Ohio, where as a kid I raked leaves, shoveled snow, and cut grass before school. I became a paperboy and learned the responsibility of handling subscribers’ money with integrity. I sold newspapers outside Ohio State games, and when, in high school, I wasn’t invited into my best friend’s DJ business, I started my own. That spark turned into Positive Vibes Inc., my entertainment and DJ firm that has been running since my days at Hampton University. And though I’ve held many roles — teacher, counselor, auditor, mentor — I’ve always had businesses alongside them, constantly learning, building, and serving.

Today, I oversee several ventures. Positive Vibes Inc. continues as an entertainment brand, but I’ve expanded into business consulting to help with credit repair, funding, and development. I run a real estate firm with my wife of 28 years, and I’m president of a family investment group. Community service is equally important — from Toastmasters leadership to mentorship programs to years in education, I’ve worked to build systems that uplift others.

What excites me most now is the Hampton Roads Green Book® and my documentary mixtape series named “Generational Flip.” My documentary mixtape series features stories and guidance from highly successful thought leaders and business leaders who are driving generational change. Generational Flip can be viewed as pay-for-play on its website for a non-commercial viewing, and on YouTube for free viewing with commercials. The current four episodes focus on business and investment strategies that lead to creating and maintaining generational wealth while highlighting mental health building strategies to help one with the mindset and stress management needed while moving towards financial goals.

Inspired by the original guide that supported Black travelers during segregation, I created a modern version for our region to connect and celebrate Black-owned businesses. What began as an idea has grown into a platform with nearly 2,000 listings — more than Yelp or Google can easily surface for our community. It’s free to access, empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening the local economy by ensuring dollars circulate within our neighborhoods. In 2025, we’ll launch campaigns like Black September, which spotlight restaurants across multiple cities, encourage people to dine locally, and use the app to leave reviews. It’s about culture, community, and economics working together.

I admit that I’m a lot. I jokingly say that I’ve monetized my ADHD experience, while now I’m slowly removing things from my activities to focus on making meaningful connections to create a legacy.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been resilience, relationship-building, and a spirit of entrepreneurship.

Resilience came early. Whether it was waking up before dawn to deliver newspapers in Ohio, starting my own DJ business after not being invited into my friend’s venture, or pivoting careers during the pandemic, I learned to push forward, adapt, and keep creating even when doors closed.

Relationship-building has been central to everything. From counseling families as an educator, to connecting parents to resources in schools, to creating the Hampton Roads Green Book® to connect businesses with customers, my greatest impact has always come from building bridges between people and opportunities.

And entrepreneurship has been the constant thread. From Positive Vibes Inc. to business consulting, real estate, documentary filmmaking, and even releasing music as Grandpa Crunk, I’ve always carried that mindset of creating, experimenting, and learning from each venture.

My advice to those early in their journey is simple: “do things, try things, and learn things”. Don’t wait for the “perfect” opportunity or permission — start where you are, with what you have. Every odd job I did, every event I DJ’d, every program I launched taught me something that became useful later. Skills compound, connections grow, and confidence builds when you’re willing to step into action. I used to tell my children frequently to “Do Something Difficult Daily. The more you do it, the easier it gets.” I also had my children recite a “Mirror Mantra” every morning as they got ready for school to reinforce how beautiful, capable, and creative they were.

So experiment. Fail forward. Ask questions. Build relationships. And trust that over time, those experiences will shape both your skillset and your purpose.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful things my parents did for me were giving me a foundation of faith, cultural pride, and responsibility. They raised me with a strong spiritual grounding, exposed me to Pan-African culture so I would know who I am and where I come from, and constantly reminded me that everything I do should improve my family and community. That guidance shaped my decisions, gave me confidence in my identity, and instilled a sense of duty to use my gifts to uplift others. Their influence is the compass I still follow in every role — whether in education, business, music, or community leadership.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HRGreenbook.com
• Instagram: @HamptonRoadsGreenbook
• Linkedin: @SekoVarner
• Twitter: @HamptonRoadsGreenbook
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OurBlackEmpowerment