Money Making Conversations Master Class

Kelly Jenrette, EMMY-Nominated Actress, Currently Starring on The CW hit series "All American: Homecoming," shares how and why she continues to develop her skillset after all of her acting success.

Topics Covered

Role of Amara, and returning on the series for Season 2

Season 2 of "All American: Homecoming" premiered on Monday, October 10th

Importance of an HBCU Experience

Family Support in the Entertainment Industry

More On Kelly Jenretts

Kelly M. Jenrette, a native of Atlanta, now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Melvin Jackson Jr.

In 2018, she and her husband became the first African American married couple to be nominated for EMMYs® in the same year. Kelly’s EMMY® nomination was for her portrayal of Annie in Season 2, Episode 4 of the Hulu hit series, "The Handmaid’s Tale." Kelly currently stars on "All American: Homecoming," the spinoff show for The CW's hit show "All American." Her two latest films can be found on Netflix: "Uncorked" and "All Day and A Night" - in the latter, Kelly stars alongside Jeffrey Wright and Ashton Sanders. Kelly is also in the second season of the hit anthology show "Manhunt: Deadly Games" (Lionsgate/Spectrum), currently available on Netflix. She can be seen as Winona on the Facebook Watch Original "LIMETOWN."

Kelly has also been a series regular on the FOX comedy, "Grandfathered," starring John Stamos; She's had recurring guest star roles on "Mixed•ish" (ABC), "Here and Now" (HBO), "Pitch" (FOX) and "Graves" (EPIX). You may also remember her from her twelve Kmart commercials as Kmart Kelly!

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My dear friend Chef Jernard Wells discusses his new cookbook "Southern Inspired," his holiday favorites and why catfish is one of his favorites to prepare. 

Topics Covered

• How he opened first restaurant at 16 in his mother's kitchen. 
• Many ways to cook catfish.
• Purpose for his new cook book.
• New season of New Soul Kitchen

More on Chef Jernard Wells

Jernard Wells is an Award Winning TV Host/Celebrity Chef/Bestselling Cookbook Author best known from numerous Food Network & Cooking Channel shows. He is the host of "New Soul Kitchen" on CLEO TV and is a co-host on "The Best Things I Ever Ate" on Cooking Channel. Wells has worked with Tyler Perry, NBA star Brandon Ingram, Lady Antebellum and Ricky Bell & Michael Bivins of New Edition/BBD. He has been featured on "Today Show", PEOPLE, "Steve Harvey Morning Show", ESSENCE, “Pickler & Ben”, "Home & Family", Lifetime & HLN to name a few. The James Beard House Honored Chef is affectionately called "The Family Chef" because he loves using food to promote positive family images. He and his wife of 20 years have 9 children. He is the author of 6 books.

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On this episode of Money Making Conversations Master Class I speak with Roderick “PushaRod” Bullock, who started one of the youngest A&Rs at Interscope Records. We discuss YG’s latest album. “I Got Issues," his journey through the music industry and how he introduced Drake to YG.

Topics Covered

• Producing YG's new album I GOT ISSUES.
• Business venture, with Creative Soundz Recording. 
• What is a "Professional Homie."

More on Roderick "PushaRod" Bullock

Roderick “PushaRod” Bullock is a former Vice President A&R of Urban Music at Interscope Records. He currently is the owner of Creative Soundz Recording Studio and works with very notable artists on their current projects. He also just produced YG's new album I GOT ISSUES. Rod also has his hand in the tech world as he has developed his own video game “Hop Out: The Streets of LA”—a wildly successful gaming app in LA which takes you on a journey through the trials, tribulations, and excitement of LA. 

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More on James Dubose

Prior to FOX SOUL—following his career as an NFL player on the Detroit Lions—James worked on many hit television series as an Executive Producer, like E! Network’s WAGS Atlanta; and other notable projects under DuBose Entertainment, such as Kevin Hart’s One Mic Stand, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, and more.

As a long-time television producer, filmmaker, and entertainment industry executive, James felt African Americans didn’t have a voice in this space. He was inspired to build a platform that truly allows the voices of the culture to be heard in its rawest, unfiltered form. Now, with James in his current role, FOX SOUL is leading the charge in showcasing the diversity of the Black experience.

Topics Covered

- What is FOX SOUL?

- How did you go from the NFL to a leading entrepreneur in entertainment?

- What kind of challenges did you face as a Black entrepreneur in entertainment?

- What advice would you give to someone who aspires to be where you are today?

- Is there anything you wish you could've done differently in your career journey?

- How do you network and make connections in this industry?

- What's next for you and for FOX SOUL?

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This episode of Money Making Conversations Master Class features globally recognized negotiation expert, an award-winning faculty member at the Wharton School, a highly sought-after speaker, Mori Taheripour. We discuss creating balance through boundaries, how she envisions diversity and inclusion, and being outspoken about her life with MS.

Topics Covered

-Purpose of new book, BRING YOURSELF, about Mori's personal guide to business negotiation.

-Worked with some of the most iconic sports leagues and Fortune 100 corporations

-She shares both personal and professional stories of how we communicate with each other transforms our relationships

-Mori goes against common thinking of negotiations. Traditionally negotiations are thought of as agressive and unemotional, however, Mori finds that personal connection yields better results when making a deal.

-The book uses personal case studies with her students of how to resolve problems.

-Additionally, Mori has MS and sees it as a gift because in order to ward off symptoms, she makes sure she lives a healthy lifestyle with a proper work life balance

More on More Taheripour

With more than 20 years of experience in negotiations, Diversity and Inclusion, and sports business, Mori's impressive roster of clients includes Fortune 100 companies, major sports leagues, leading charitable institutions, and government agencies. Her current and past clients include the Goldman Sachs Foundation, Google, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Players Association, the National Football League, The Timberland Company, United Parcel Service, the US Agency for International Development, Wasserman, Wells Fargo, and the White House Fellows Program.

Top business publications and media outlets have featured Mori's work including ESPN, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Marketplace, Money, NPR, and The Next Chapter by American Express. She regularly contributes to sports discussions on Wharton Business Daily on SiriusXM.

Mori is a member of the board of directors for USA Track and Field, the advisory board of the Sport Leadership and Administration Program at University of Massachusetts Boston and serves as a trustee emeritus for the Women's Sports Foundation. She is also a commissioner for the Women's Refugee Commission and a Global Sport Fellow with the Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University.

Mori earned her BA from Barnard College of Columbia University, her MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.

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On this episode of Money Making Conversations Master Class Paige Simpson, Vice President of 21 Laps Entertainment share her journey through the entertainment industry.

Topics Covered

• Paige is the Vice President of Television at 21 Laps Entertainment, the production company behind hits like Stranger Things, Night at the Museum and Arrival.

• Current projects include 'Yasuke' which is now under development with Netflix. A story of a Black samurai that is in talks to star Lupin actor, Omar Sy.

• Previous shows worked on include Ambitions for OWN, Bigger for BET+ and comedy special Yearly Departed for Amazon Prime.

• Previous roles with Will Packer Media, Showtime, Scrap Paper Pictures and Academy Award-winning actress, Viola Davis.

• Paige is passionate about storytelling and mentoring the next generation of entertainment executives.

• Paige is a Spelman alum who studied biology before discovering her true calling of bringing diverse stories to life through television.

More on Paige Simpson

Paige Simpson is a creative visionary and television executive with over a decade of experience in Hollywood. As the current Vice President of Television at 21 Laps Entertainment, she works diligently to create amazing, diverse, and bingeable content for Netflix, as a part of the production company’s overall television deal with the streaming giant. Paige’s expertise and talent in television development allowed her to create a significant career path and work with powerhouse brands like Will Packer Media, Showtime and Scrap Paper Pictures.

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This week on Money Making Conversations Master Class actor, producer, music artist, Don Benjamin discusses how he decided to change his connection to women, the purpose of his new book My Truth" and more.

Topics Covered

Social Media Impact on Relationships

Breaking family curses.

Learning how to love a woman.

More on Don Benjamin

Don Benjamin has been in the entertainment industry for over 15 years. He has worked in different aspect of the entertainment industry. He’s produced many different shows. Music concerts, wrestling shoes, and comedy shows, he’s worked with different talent. He’s managed and consulted for different artists, influencers, and brands. Talent and brands such as Don Benjamin, Mario Rodriguez, Old Spice, BooHoo Men, and ABS-CBN. Being from San Francisco, he’s been able to see trends from tech to entertainment.

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Touré visits Money Making Conversations Master Class to discuss his new show on the theGrio. He also gives great insight on interviewing techniques he utilizes.

Topics Covered

Touré, hosts the new series "Masters of the Game," a monthly one-hour program on theGrio.

The most interesting stories or takeaways from guests about their journeys and inspiration they offer.

Why he chose to go by one name.

More on Touré

A best selling author, writer, and podcaster, Touré is well known for his work on the Cycle on MSNBC, Hip Hop Shop on Fuse, the Black Carpet on BET, I’ll Try Anything Once on Treasure HD, and Spoke N Heard on MTV, and as the first Pop Culture correspondent on CNN.

As host, in one-on-one interviews with living legends in an intimate setting, Touré and his special guests will discuss their crafts, brilliance, and roads to success on his new show, Masters of the Game on TheGrio. The first episode featured a deep dive with Frances Tiafoe, renowned tennis superstar and recent U.S. Open semi-finalist as well as Jennifer King, first Black woman to be a coach in the NFL (with the Washington Commanders). Future guests are iconic leaders in their fields, including Debbie Allen and Doc Rivers, among others. Each will share how they use their celebrity to support people in their respective communities to make a difference in the world, opening doors for others and offering opportunities.

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Julius Tennon, Actor and Producer of "The Woman King," visits Money Making Conversations and discusses the impact "The Woman King" has had on our culture and society.

Topics Covered

Julius Tennon is an accomplished film, television, and theatre veteran actor and producer with over thirty years of experience.

He is the President, Development and Production at JuVee Productions. Julius Tennon is Co-President of JuVee Productions which he founded with his wife Viola Davis.

Julius began as both a thespian and a star linebacker.

More on Julius Tennon

Julius Tennon is Co-President of JuVee Productions which he founded with his wife Viola Davis. Julius is an accomplished film, television, and theatre veteran actor and producer with over thirty years of experience. A native of Austin, Texas, he began as both a thespian and a star linebacker. Julius was offered a full football scholarship to the University of Tulsa, where he became the very first African-American to graduate from the theatre department. Julius and Viola have shared both the stage and screen, appearing in such notable projects as Intimate Apparel at the Mark Taper Forum, CBS' Laws of Chance, The Architect, and the JuVee produced films Custody and Lila & Eve. 

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• On this episode of Money Making Conversations Master Class I speak with CNN political analyst and DC bureau chief for TheGrio, April Ryan. April Ryan is the longest-serving black female white house correspondent. We discuss her new book and the experience growing up in an HBCU.

• With an illustrious career spanning 35 years, chart-topping singer, songwriter, and GRAMMYⓇ Award winner Regina Belle is back, this time with a festive and beautifully soulful holiday album entitled My Colorful Christmas. The 10-track album, slated for release in November on Belle’s record label Tashi3 Entertainment, proves that no matter the genre—R&B, jazz, gospel, or even holiday music — everything she touches turns to gold.

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