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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Marcus Samuelsson.

Interviewed centered around his book:

📘 The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food

Here are the key highlights:

🍽️ About the Book

• Purpose: To celebrate and document the legacy, creativity, and cultural impact of Black chefs in America.
• Structure: Divided into five chapters — Next, Remix, Migration, Legacy, Origin — each exploring different aspects of Black culinary history and innovation.
• Unique Feature: Includes profiles of 40 Black chefs and food storytellers, plus a directory of 200+ Black chefs and food writers with their Instagram handles — a first-of-its-kind resource.

🌍 Cultural and Historical Themes

• Black Culinary Legacy: From enslaved cooks to modern food innovators, the book traces the deep roots and wide influence of Black food culture.
• Diaspora Influence: African, Caribbean, and Southern U.S. flavors are explored, including dishes like plantains, oxtail pepper pot, and couscous with roasted figs.
• Food as Activism: Highlights figures like Georgia Gilmore and chefs who supported civil rights movements through food.

🍴 Mouthwatering Recipes Mentioned

• Coconut Fried Chicken
• Oxtail Pepper Pot with Dumplings
• Couscous with Roasted Figs
• Sweet Wild Berry Jam
• Hot Water Cornbread (Hoecakes)
• Gumbo à la Leah Chase (without a roux!)
• Shrimp & Grits with Piri Piri Sauce

💬 Conversation Highlights

• Rushion shares personal stories tied to food, family, and culture — from wild berry picking in Texas to his wife’s Belizean roots.
• Marcus emphasizes the importance of authorship and ownership in Black culinary contributions.
• They discuss the need for healthier eating, environmental awareness, and economic empowerment through food.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cedric Walker.

Founder of the UniverSoul Circus, shares his journey from producing gospel plays to creating a globally recognized, culturally rich circus experience. He discusses the inspiration behind the circus, the challenges he faced, the importance of representation, and the evolution of the show. The conversation emphasizes family entertainment, cultural authenticity, and global talent development.

🧭 Key Points 1. Origins and Vision

• Cedric began in gospel theater, producing plays that reflected real-life challenges in the Black community.
• Inspired by the power of theater to reflect culture, he envisioned a circus that celebrated African-American heritage and family unity.

2. Challenges and Breakthroughs

• Faced skepticism from both Black and white industry professionals.
• Overcame legal hurdles with Universal Studios by renaming the circus to UniverSoul Circus.
• Maintained his original vision despite pressure to conform.

3. Cultural Representation

• The circus was designed to be inclusive and multigenerational, with acts that resonate across age groups and backgrounds.
• Emphasized showcasing Black excellence in performance arts, from aerialists to unicyclists.

4. Global Talent and Training

• Talent is sourced globally from Ethiopia, Cuba, China, and the Caribbean.
• Performers undergo 4–5 years of training before appearing under the big top.
• Ethiopia is now a leading source of Black circus performers.

5. Evolution of the Show

• Transitioned away from animal acts due to changing laws and ethics.
• Integrated Afrobeats, hip-hop, and global dance styles to reflect evolving cultural trends.
• The show is described as a “family reunion under the big top.”

💬 Notable Quotes

“The idea was to create something where a father, mother, daughter, and grandson could all sit together and enjoy the show.”

“We wanted to uplift and celebrate the positive achievements and cultural contributions of African-Americans.”

“Everything you see under the big top is curated—it takes 4 to 5 years before an act hits our stage.”

“Ethiopia is leading the world in producing Black circus performers.”

“It’s like a family reunion under the big top.”

“We’re not going after any specific audience—we’re going after the world.”

“UniverSoul Circus starts on time. Don’t be late—you’ll miss something great.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed, Travis T. Wade.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight Travis Wade’s transition from corporate HR leadership to entrepreneurship in the private security industry, and to share insights on leadership, hiring practices, and business growth strategies.

🧭 Outline of the Interview 1. Introduction

• Rushion McDonald introduces the show’s mission: inspiring listeners to pursue their own success stories.
• Travis Wade is introduced as a seasoned HR professional and founder of The Guardian, a private security firm.

2. Background & Transition

• Travis shares his 25+ years in HR, including leadership roles in New York’s banking sector.
• He discusses his pivot to entrepreneurship and founding The Guardian.

3. The Guardian’s Structure

• Three divisions:
  • Armed & unarmed uniformed security officers
  • Personal protection
  • Private investigations
• Operates in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina.

4. HR Experience & Impact

• HR skills translated into managing people effectively in the security industry.
• Emphasis on understanding business operations across departments.

5. Hiring Philosophy

• Avoids traditional interviews; prefers conversational approach to reveal genuine personality.
• Looks for patience, emotional control, and customer service skills in candidates.

6. Common Hiring Mistakes

• Rushion admits to undervaluing HR and hiring impulsively.
• Travis stresses the importance of structured hiring, background checks, and managerial coaching.

7. Private Investigations

• Focuses on corporate and small business cases (e.g., internal theft).
• Offers thorough investigative services including interviews, documentation review, and evidence presentation.

8. Leadership & Change Management

• Travis emphasizes communication, collaboration, and transparency when implementing new ideas.
• Encourages team involvement and ownership to foster loyalty and performance.

9. Growth & Partnerships

• Rather than competing with large firms, The Guardian focuses on partnerships and subcontracting.
• Advocates for collaboration, especially among minority-owned businesses.

10. Closing Remarks

• Travis shares his mission to build generational wealth and empower his team.
• Rushion reflects on lessons learned and thanks Travis for his insights.

💡 Key Takeaways

• HR is foundational: “Your business is your people.”
• Hiring is about character: “We don’t want to see their representative. We want to see their true selves.”
• Patience is critical in security: “If they can’t wait 20 minutes for an interview, they won’t be patient on the job.”
• Leadership is collaborative: “You have to roll up your sleeves and be a participant.”
• Growth through partnership: “We can’t afford to compete, but we can afford to partner.”

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “HR needs to have a seat at the table.”
• “Do what you say you’re going to do, and do what you said.”
• “When people feel a part of something, they’ll do more.”
• “I wanted to create generational wealth for me and my family.”
• “We’re not competing—we’re partnering.”

#SHMS

#BEST

#STRAW

#AMI

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.