Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Jernard Wells.  He is the author of a cookbook entitled, “Southern Inspired: More Than 100 Delicious Dishes from My American Table to Your.”   He is renowned for using food to promote positive family images, and has captivated Television and live audiences with his infectious personality and culinary expertise. If you haven’t seen him on TV, he hosts *New Soul Kitchen* and *New Soul Kitchen Remix* on CLEO TV.  

Talking Points/Questions *
Southern Inspired CookBook:
What inspired your cookbook?
What are some of your favorite recipes from the book? 
How are you able to create 100 Southern-inspired recipes? 
How do you stay inspired to create new and authentic recipes?
Holiday Questions: What recipes can we find in your cookbook that are perfect for the holidays? The perfect drink to pair with your cranberry and whiskey glazed ribs? Your mom is a baker, will you two collaborate in the kitchen this holiday season? How has she inspired your recipes?

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has a business degree from the University of Oklahoma.   She is the owner of Scholar Ready, an educational services company. She meets with clients online and her company Scholar Ready tutors Math, conducts personal essay writing workshops, and prepares students for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams.  Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Jennifer Ledwith.

Talking Points/Questions *

1. Why are HBCUs relevant?
Mr. McDonald, in your interview with Stacy Spratt of the United Negro College Fund, you mentioned the number of successful Black professionals who are products of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Moreover, I’ve seen this success in my family, which hails from Bain Street (yes – that Bain Street in Kashmere Gardens), beginning with my grandfather, an alumnus of Texas College and Texas Southern University.

2. Whether students select an HBCU or a PWI, it’s important for them to have choices. Test scores unlock access to scholarships and academic programs. Often, African Americans are locked out of these opportunities: on average, African Americans score a 908 (out of 1600) on the SAT and a 16 (out of 36) on the ACT.

3. PSAT, SAT, and ACT aren’t for Black kids? Why should we bother?
We should bother because of the opportunities for scholarships and the opportunities to improve literacy.

4. When should my child start preparing for college?

5. Understood from a young age that education and literacy were crucial to success. 

6. People told her that her mother — a single parent with serious debt and no child support — made too much money for her to get any free money for college.

7. She didn't finish in the top 10% of her high school class (which is academic poison in her home state of Texas).

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tarence Wheeler.  He is a highly respected professional with over 20 years of experience in community relations and philanthropic activities, specializing in community and corporate partnerships and relationship building. He is a former Mayoral Appointee, serving as the community relations liaison for Mayor Dave Bing and the City of Detroit.

Mr. Wheeler has extensive experience in community outreach, mentoring, and fostering partnerships to support educational achievement. During the pandemic, he led the effort to distribute over 15 million meals to the downriver community via a partnership with Forgotten Harvest. He founded the All-Star Giveback Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, which currently provides over 3,000 turkeys with all the trimmings to families in need.

Although Mr. Wheeler has been seen serving on a national level with celebrities and the like, his greatest passion is in helping to enrich the lives of at-risk young people in communities throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area. He is often inspiring and motivating students at Detroit-area schools, using a transparent and authentic approach to reaching young people and ‘meeting them where they are’. His first-hand knowledge and experience with growing up in a less-fortunate environment increased his ability to make a direct connection with his young audience.

Celebrities join forces for All-Star Giveback: Thanksgiving Edition: WHO:  Tarence Wheeler, Multi-Platinum & Emmy winning Grammy Nominee Rapper Big Sean/Sean Anderson Foundation, Former NBA Players Derrick Coleman, Gary Payton, Willie Burton, Isiah Thomas, Rick Mahorn, Grant Long, Tim Hardaway, James “Budda” Edwards, Actor/Author Hill Harper, Former NFL Players Herman Moore, Lomas Brown, Rob Sims, Calvin Johnson, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Wayne County Sheriff Ray Washington, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, City Council President Mary Sheffield 
WHAT: Annual All-Star Giveback: Thanksgiving Edition will provide more than 3000 turkeys and food baskets to Metro- Detroit residents on a first come, first served basis.

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kika Wise.

Kika Wise is a former professional dancer turned entrepreneur, franchisor, and wellness educator. As a forward-thinking and innovative visionary, Kika is the Founder and CEO of Kika Stretch Studios, one of the nation’s leading stretch and fitness studios.

Keeping yourself fit and flexible is an important trait in your everyday life. “Wait a minute…. are you referring to business or exercise?” Well, in this scenario, it’s both as entrepreneur and fitness instructor Kika Wise can attest. She’s here to discuss franchising: how to set it up, how to handle economic hardship, how to deal with naysayers, and the important factors to consider before you even begin thinking about turning your business into a franchise. For those interested in owning or running your own franchise one day, especially in an industry that isn’t known for franchising, this interview is a must-listen. 

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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Myrna Clayton.

America's Songbird Myrna Clayton (Alabama born, Atlanta raised) is a singer best known for performing jazz music. Commissioned by the U.S. State Department to represent American music abroad at U.S. embassies around the world, Myrna has performed in 5 of the seven continents, including countries such as France, Germany, Russia, Namibia, Switzerland, and most recently, Ghana's 2024 Jazz in January Festival. Tagged “The Maynard Ferguson of Jazz vocals” by a Jazz orchestra conductor in Kazan, Russia, audiences are mesmerized by her soul-filled, profound musical message. 

Dear to Myrna’s heart is advocacy for accessibility for performing artists on the disability spectrum to highlight their talents and help improve their career trajectory and life possibilities. Whether performing in the United States or abroad, America's Songbird Myrna Clayton's classy performances are simply unforgettable.  For more information, visit www.MyrnaClayton.com. 

Company Description *
CedarTree Worldwide LLC - a Social Enterprise Business that facilitates diplomatic music cultural exchange inside and outside of America through the motto:"valuing differences, celebrating similarities and honoring oneness".

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SHOWAbility, Inc. - a 501c3 nonprofit that creates opportunities that empower performing artists/actors across the disability spectrum to showcase and develop their talents through performances, artists development, accessibility, employment and enjoyment. Our Northstar is to be for the arts/entertainment industry what the Paralympics and Special Olympics are for the sports industry - showcase talent and excellence.

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

He is also the CFO of Cadence Ventures, Inc.  It is a boutique private equity firm that invest in private mortgage notes and offers "nontraditional" financing to real estate investors, builders, and developers.  

Talking Points/Questions 
1) Phases of entrepreneurship (i.e. solopreneurs, intrapreneurs, business owner, investor)
2) The importance of financial literacy and how to level up your financial knowledge
3) How government contracts can help scale your business
4) Advice to small businesses seeking to get into government contracting
5) Why real estate is the safest and most profitable investment 6) How to invest passively into real estate
    
With over 2 decades of experience in finance, real estate, and government contracting, Mercer is currently the CFO of Cadence Ventures, INC and IBOX Global, LLC, which was ranked #357 on Inc. 500’s list of the Fastest Growing Companies. 
As a private lender with discretionary capital, we've become a reliable capital partner for real estate professionals needing certainly of execution and timely closings.

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

 The founder of Jus' Free Parole Package Services. Once classified as an inmate a few short years ago, he wrote my own parole plan and was granted the privilege of freedom. Since his release, He has been dedicated to humanizing inmates with favorable representation in their quest to obtain parole.
Jus' Free is a parole package provider that goes above and beyond to bring forth and present the best potential of our clients. Due to a lack of knowledge, inmates are unaware of what is given to the Board of Pardons and Parole. Our company works with offenders and their loved ones to ensure the Board hears YOUR story. Together, we humanize and purposely create a narrative for the Parole Board that deems those requesting the privilege of parole worthy of the transition to freedom.

At Jus’Free, they recognize imperfection as part of the human experience. Our mission is to restore dignity to those who have been dehumanized and bring families back together. Through our programs and initiatives, we strive to empower individuals, promote understanding, and foster reconciliation. While we can't guarantee specific outcomes, we're committed to supporting each person's journey with compassion and empathy. Together, we work towards a more just and compassionate society.

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

She has a business degree from the University of Oklahoma.   She is the owner of Scholar Ready, an educational services company. She meets with clients online and her company Scholar Ready tutors Math, conducts personal essay writing workshops, and prepares students for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams.

Houston native, entrepreneur, and educator, Jennifer Ledwith understood from a young age that education and literacy were crucial to success. Again and again, people told her that her mother — a single parent with serious debt and no child support — made too much money for her to get any free money for college.

She didn't finish in the top 10% of her high school class (which is academic poison in her home state of Texas).

Thankfully, her PSAT scores were high, and she could write the essays to get the money.

She knew how to beg for money tactfully in 100 words. She knew why she wanted to get a business degree from the University of Oklahoma. From her junior year of high school to her junior year of college, she wrote essays for over 30 scholarships. She won enough money to pay for tuition and fees.

She had the most scholarships when she walked across the stage at graduation. The announcer was still reading them after she had crossed the stage.

Even then, she didn't have enough money for school. She worked and worked and continued to apply for scholarships. She graduated from an out-of-state university (University of Oklahoma) with no credit card debt and only $1,000 in student loans. Hey, a girl needs plane tickets.

Jennifer Ledwith is the owner of Scholar Ready, an educational services company. She meets with clients online. She also studied Personal Financial Planning at Rice University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™.

Company Description *
Scholar Ready tutors Math, conducts personal essay writing workshops, and prepares students for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams.

Many of Scholar Ready's students have earned academic scholarships, including full rides to Mississippi Valley State University, Fordham University, Texas A & M University, and the University of Houston-Clear Lake.

We strive to instill our students with confidence that is earned and true. We teach them how to learn, how to advocate for what they need in the classroom, how to study, and how to set goals and expectations. We do not allow our students to be limited by experiences of the world they currently inhabit. We want them to have the confidence and work ethic to reach a better life and achieve any goal they set for themselves.

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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Eric Anderson.

He used his love for magic and marketing as a spokesperson to help Fortune 500 corporations sell over $3 billion worth of products. Eric became known as the "Magician with a Message" and authored books on Presentation, Marketing, and Mindset.  

As the Magician with a Message, Eric does not show people how amazing he is but instead shows YOU how amazing you can be and guides others to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams, starting exactly where they are right now.

Company Description *    
As a seminars, consulting, and presentations company, I love teaching business owners how to use the power of paid speaking to grow their businesses. After doing thousands of speaking engagements for some of the world's most prominent organizations, I've created a simple, easy-to-follow system that anyone can succeed with, even if they're brand new to it.

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