Money Making Conversations

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Derrick D. Hayes.  The “Underdog Story”. Overcoming adverse beginnings to accomplish your dreams and make it in the world. Breaking the cycle of poverty while making your community a better place. This is the story that Big Dave Cheesesteaks’ founder Derrick Hayes shares as he guest stars on Money Making Conversations Master Class. Prepare to be uplifted with a tale of motivation and grit as Derrick recounts the decisions in his life that led him to become the man he is today and how he seeks to inspire those who come from backgrounds similar to his to stand up and do more for themselves.  He has been featured on many magazine covers, including Essence Magazine. His vision for his restaurant, Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, began in 2014 as he aimed to merge his passion for community, food, and business. What started as a small water-ice shop in a 749 sq. ft Shell gas station in Dunwoody, Georgia 2016, has now augmented into the nationally known Big Dave's Cheesesteaks, a thriving cheesecake empire with store and mobile locations all across metro Atlanta. Hayes is also the founder of the David & Derrick Hayes Foundation & Co-Owner of the vegan cheesesteak concept "Dinkies" with Slutty Vegan ATL CEO & Vegan restaurant phenom Pinky Cole. In 2021, Hayes's passion for community & food landed him an illustrious spot as a Forbes 2021 Next 1000 Honoree. Let's discuss his journey into Big Dave's Cheesesteaks being "Bigger Than Food."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Mark Brown, the President and CEO of SFI.  Student Freedom Initiative is a nonprofit organization founded by Robert F. Smith because of his philanthropic efforts to tackle the student debt problem in America. SFI was founded in 2022 as a follow-up to the 2019 viral Morehouse College gift. The program offers alternative PLUS Loan opportunities for students majoring in STEM at participating HBCUs. The fund was initially started with a $50M investment from Robert F. Smith along with a $50M investment from InternXL, which partners with SFI to build an endowment without walls. SFI recently announced a $100M commitment from the STEIN Bridge group, bringing the endowment to $200M. The funds used to repay these loans are recycled into the SFA fund for another HBCU/MSI studentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Melody Shari.  She is a star and producer on OWN’s “Love & Marriage: Huntsville”, a successful entrepreneur and Founder of Seventh Avenue Premier Skincare, a Homebuilder, Author, and Motivational Speaker.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviews the ever-popular Tamela Mann – a Grammy award-winning gospel singer, actress, businesswoman, and fan-favorite – returns to Money Making Conversations Master Class once more for an encore performance. In this episode, she discusses the reasons behind founding her line of shapewear for plus-sized women, the rise of female entrepreneurs, and how her devotion to her faith has helped shape her life and career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviews the incomparable Sheryl Lee Ralph, who weaves a dazzling tale of wonder and laughter as she takes the stage on the Money Making Conversations Master Class Podcast. Sheryl dives deep into the history of her illustrious career, recounting how she got her start acting alongside Sidney Poitier to meeting Rushion McDonald when he was working on Steve Harvey’s sitcom to her current endeavors as Barbara Howard from ABC’s “Abbot Elementary.” She also discusses her other role as a passionate HIV activist and how important it is to not only be aware of the disease and how it can affect your life but also how to protect yourself against it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Melody Vaughn.  Melody Vaughn Interiors (MVI) is more than a design firm; it's a venture born from the desire to craft spaces that heal. At MVI, they believe in harmonizing and tuning into the energy of a space to create homes of peace and beauty. Each house has its rhythm, and we ensure the décor beautifully reflects it. Through the infusion of color, thoughtful space planning, and elements of Feng Shui, MVI transforms every project into a human sanctuary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Alicia Lyttle. Her specialization is business and marketing consulting, leveraging AI to enhance marketing strategies and foster business growth. Their tailored training programs cater to each organization's unique needs, ensuring effective AI integration, specialized industry solutions, and addressing specific sector challenges.

1. Thinking about customer experience: How can AI enhance personalized interactions between businesses and customers?
2. On efficiency: How can companies leverage AI to streamline operations and drive productivity?
3. Diving into marketing: Could you share how AI tools revolutionize digital marketing strategies for better reach and engagement?
4. Are they considering the human touch? How do businesses balance AI automation and the irreplaceable human element?
5. Exploring creativity: How is AI contributing to content creation, and what does this mean for the future of creative industries?
6. Thinking about challenges: What are the common hurdles businesses face when integrating AI, and how can they overcome them?
7. Looking ahead: Where do you see the most significant opportunities for innovation with AI in business sectors that are just beginning to adopt this technology?

 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviews Deion “Prime Time” Sanders.  He takes the field and keeps on running in his interview on Money Making Conversations Master Class. With a lasting legacy spanning across both football and baseball that continues to influence athletes in today’s field, Deion recounts his histories in both professions and the decisions that led him to pivot from baseball to football. He also discusses how his positive outlook on life has characterized both his personal life and his career, how important it is to teach the next generation the importance of financial literacy, and how having someone in your corner to motivate you can help shape your future in ways you couldn’t even imagine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviews Patti LaBelle. She has turned her culinary skills into a financial food triumph!  LaBelle owns 100% of her company alongside her son In 2008, LaBelle allowed the world to experience her food for themselves after launching her food brand, Good Life. Per Forbes, the brand first carried a line of hot sauces and has since expanded to include sweet potato pie and peach cobbler, frozen breakfast foods, and meals such as chicken, biscuits, and mac-n-cheese.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interview Andrienne Johnson.  She understands the need for women to have opportunities. She married at 17 because of her pregnancy and was divorced by age 20. Her single motherhood and belief in God taught her perseverance. Adrienne launched Wo Ye Bra in 2017 to keep girls in school who would otherwise stay home because they lack access to sanitary supplies during their periods. To date, she has created over 300 women entrepreneurs in West Africa. Rev. Dr. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Business, credentials include Certificate of Theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC), Harvard Medical School Coaching in Leadership and Healthcare, and a graduate of the David Satcher Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Theology from St. Paul's College. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Great Lakes (MI) Chapter of The Links, Inc., Founder of the Lake Spivey Jack & Jill Chapter, and a Board Member of AIB Television in Atlanta and the Rotary Club of Detroit.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.