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

A 24-year Army veteran turned travel entrepreneur:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight Angeletha Long’s journey from military service to becoming a successful travel advisor and cruise expert, and to educate listeners—especially African Americans and veterans—on the benefits and opportunities of cruising as a travel experience and business venture.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Cruising as a Travel Experience

• Convenience & Value: Cruising offers all-inclusive packages covering accommodation, dining, entertainment, and transportation.
• Multi-generational Appeal: Popular among families traveling across generations.
• Variety of Activities: From Broadway-style shows to roller coasters and go-karts, cruises cater to adventure seekers and relaxation lovers alike.
• Food Culture: Cruises are known for their abundant and diverse food options, including buffets, specialty restaurants, and snack stations.

“There is food here, there is food there, there is food everywhere. The one thing that you're not going to be on a cruise is hungry.” – Andelita Long

2. Military to Travel Industry Transition

• Inspired by her mother’s hospitality business in Jamaica.
• Military experience provided skills in logistics, planning, and resilience.
• Desire for flexibility and family time motivated her to pursue entrepreneurship.

“Why do I want to keep punching the clock? … Why not do something that I love?” – Andelita Long

3. Representation & Empowerment

• Noted the lack of Black professionals in the travel industry.
• Advocates for creating space and visibility for African Americans in travel leadership.

“If the table isn't big enough for us to fit there, we don't have to make our own table.” – Andelita Long

4. Veteran Travel Benefits

• Norwegian Cruise Line: Offers 10% discount for veterans.
• Margaritaville Cruise Line: Provides one free 3-night cruise per year for veterans.
• Long helps veterans access and maximize these benefits.

“Margaritaville gives each veteran once a year a three-night free cruise. No cost to you.” – Andelita Long

5. Specialty Cruises & Community

• Promotes culturally rich cruises like “Grown & Sexy” charters focused on Black culture and entertainment.
• Encourages first-time cruisers and singles to explore group travel experiences.

“It’s full of Black people. We got Black entertainers. Everything on there—it’s all about Black history, Black culture, Black power.” – Andelita Long

📞 Contact Information

• Website: mydreamvacationtravel.com
• Phone: (478) 334-0177

Email: [email protected]

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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

Co-founder of Well With All, a Black-owned, purpose-driven health and wellness brand dedicated to improving well-being in underserved communities.

Here’s a summary and analysis of the interview from Money Making Conversations Masterclass featuring Demond Martin, co-founder of Well With All, a purpose-led health and wellness brand:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview highlights:

• The founding and mission of Well With All.
• Demond Martin’s personal journey from poverty to hedge fund success.
• The importance of health equity and generational wellness.
• The development of premium wellness products tailored for underserved communities.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Mission of Well With All

• A Black-owned health and wellness brand focused on generational wellness.
• Invests 20% of profits into health equity for Black, Brown, and underserved communities.
  • Quote: “We’re not going to stop until we do it.”

2. Demond Martin’s Journey

• Grew up in poverty across Ohio, California, and North Carolina.
• Rose to become a managing partner at one of the world’s largest hedge funds.
• Mentored by influential figures like Erskine Bowles and David Thomas.
  • Quote: “Each one of those levels allowed me to see myself in a different light.”

3. Catalyst for Change

• A personal crisis involving his child’s mental health led to a deeper commitment to community wellness.
  • Quote: “The 14-year-old version of myself in the same scenario would likely be dead or in jail.”

4. Generational Wellness

• Defined as the intersection of health and wealth.
• Health is the foundation of long-term prosperity.
  • Quote: “The greatest asset you can have is your health.”

5. Product Line

• Includes multivitamins, sleep support, omega-3, vitamin D3 + K2, and targeted supplements for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
• Products are clinically studied, premium quality, and designed with underserved consumers in mind.
  • Quote: “Everything is clinically studied dosages with clinically studied ingredients.”

6. Community Engagement

• Products tested and promoted at events like Essence Fest and HBCU Classics.
• Emotional response from consumers validates the brand’s impact.
  • Quote: “Hundreds of people said, ‘This is really good.’ My wife was in tears.”

7. Mental Health Advocacy

• Collaborating with Boston Children’s Hospital to create free parenting toolkits for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention.
  • Quote: “We’re producing content to help folks manage through and get educated.”

🌟 Notable Moments

• Rushion McDonald shares his own health journey and praises Martin’s transparency.
• Martin emphasizes empathy from lived experience as a driving force behind his mission.
• The brand’s name, Well With All, reflects its inclusive and persistent ethos.

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Kevin Bludso.

Here’s a summary of MMCMC Script File 18, an episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushion McDonald, featuring special guest Kevin Bledsoe, founder of Bledsoe’s Barbecue and a two-time Hoodie Award winner.

🔥 Key Topics Discussed 1. The Hoodie Awards Legacy

• Kevin credits the Hoodie Awards for launching his national visibility.
• Describes the experience as “life-changing,” giving pride and validation to small business owners.
• Emphasizes how the awards brought community recognition, celebrity exposure, and lasting friendships.

2. Bledsoe’s Barbecue Journey

• Originated in Compton, CA, with family BBQ roots in Corsicana, TX.
• Now an international brand with locations in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and even Melbourne, Australia.
• Known for slow-smoked meats, authentic Southern sides, and consistent quality.

3. Celebrity Support & Customer Experience

• Celebrities frequent Bledsoe’s, but Kevin emphasizes treating everyone with respect.
• Consistency in food and service is key: “Every plate looks immaculate.”
• Rushion shares personal stories of bringing military and corporate guests to the restaurant.

4. Television Career

• Kevin’s TV debut came unexpectedly via a producer who overheard him joking in the kitchen.
• Became a regular on Bar Rescue and now stars on Netflix’s American Barbecue Showdown.
• His authenticity and humor made him a standout personality.

5. Philanthropy & Community Impact

• Bledsoe’s has paid for funerals, provided scholarships, and supported local causes.
• Kevin believes in giving back: “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• Emphasizes the importance of teamwork, community, and uplifting others.

6. Entrepreneurship Real Talk

• Warns aspiring entrepreneurs: “Owning a business is the hardest job you’ll ever have.”
• Shares his early grind—working 24-hour days between BBQ and DJ gigs.
• Encourages building a strong team and trusting the process.

7. Civic Engagement

• Passionate about voting rights and Black empowerment.
• Urges listeners to vote in person and stay informed about political and social issues.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• “Are you ready to go eight years without a day off?”
• “The Hoodie Awards made us feel like celebrities—like we mattered.”
• “You need fans in the stands. That’s called customers.”
• “If I’m making it and my people aren’t, then I’m not making it.”

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

The founder and artistic director of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective. This episode blends art, activism, education, and cultural preservation through the lens of Black history and dance.

Here are the key highlights:

🎭 About Stacey Allen

• Founder of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective, a professional dance company focused on art and wellness through the lens of Black women and girls.
• Author of two children’s books, including:
  • A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way (introduces children to Katherine Dunham)
  • D is for Dance and for the Diaspora (A–Z guide to African diaspora dance styles)
• Recipient of the 2024 Children’s Publication Award from the National Association of Multicultural Education.

🩰 Dance as Activism

• Stacy uses dance to tell stories of African American history, identity, and empowerment.
• Her performances are rooted in education, cultural preservation, and social justice.
• She emphasizes that dance is not just performance—it’s a tool for healing, storytelling, and activism.

🌍 Cultural Legacy & Freedom Colonies

• Stacy’s work includes performances like The Fairy Tale Project, which tells the love story of the founders of the Sankofa Freedom Colony in Texas.
• She collaborates with the Texas Freedom Colonies Project, which documents over 500 historically Black settlements in Texas.
• These colonies were founded by formerly enslaved people post-emancipation and are often overlooked in mainstream history.

🌊 Emotional Pilgrimage

• Stacy shares her transformative experience visiting Gorée Island in Senegal, a major slave port, and draws parallels to Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth originated.
• She reflects on the emotional weight of visiting ancestral lands and how it informs her art and mission.

📚 Educational Mission

• Through her books, performances, and workshops (including in juvenile detention centers), Stacy educates youth and communities about Black history and identity.
• She believes that knowing your history empowers your future.

📣 How to Connect with Stacy

• Website: www.niasdaughters.com
• Instagram: @niasdaughters
• Facebook: Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective

💬 Rushion’s Reflections

• Rushion expresses deep admiration for Stacy’s passion and educational impact.
• He emphasizes the importance of sharing her work widely, especially the history of Texas Freedom Colonies, which he compares to the Underground Railroad in significance.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Friday, December 12th, 2025. Subject: "So What I Burned a Few Things"

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

Purpose of the Interview

The conversation aimed to:

• Highlight the importance of financial literacy for young adults.
• Share Jerron Duhon’s personal journey from Lake Charles, Louisiana, to Yale University and into holistic financial planning.
• Promote his book “The Purpose of Paper”, which focuses on building generational wealth and breaking harmful financial habits.

Key Takeaways

1. Personal Journey & Identity Shift

   • Jerron used football as a “meal ticket” to escape his hometown, but a concussion ended his athletic career, causing an identity crisis.
   • He pivoted toward financial education and wealth creation, emphasizing long-term planning.

2. Misconceptions About Wealth

   • Many young adults believe wealth comes quickly through gambling, sports betting, or flashy investments.
   • Social media fuels the desire to display wealth rather than build wealth, leading to poor financial decisions.

3. Financial Habits & Framework

   • Jerron introduced his AIMS framework:
     • Awareness: Know your current financial state.
     • Intention: Set clear goals and reverse-engineer steps.
     • Mindset Change: Focus on future self, not old habits.
     • Systems: Automate savings and investments to reduce reliance on willpower.

4. Faith and Finance Connection

   • Principles like self-control, patience, and hope—fruits of the spirit—are essential for financial discipline.
   • “Faith without works is dead” applies to money: belief must be paired with action.

5. Generational Wealth

   • Gerron stresses taking ownership of your financial future rather than leaving the burden to your children.
   • Investing should be strategic and long-term, not like playing the lottery.

6. Practical Advice

   • Start small but consistent (e.g., $150/month).
   • Use modern tools like Robinhood for stock investing.
   • Shift from being a consumer to an owner (invest in companies you use).

Notable Quotes

• “Football was my meal ticket… but I realized I didn’t dream far enough.”
• “We connect our financial decisions to display wealth instead of to build wealth.”
• “Faith without works is dead—just like in finances.”
• “Are you going to be the one that changes your generation, or will you leave that pressure on your children?”
• “Good advice is timeless.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Sauda Johnson McNeal.

• To highlight Sauda Johnson McNeal’s journey from a successful law career to filmmaking.
• To discuss her new film “Love the Skin You’re In”, its themes, production process, and personal significance.
• To inspire entrepreneurs and creatives to pursue their passions while balancing purpose and practicality.

Key Takeaways

1. Career Transition & Dual Roles

   • Sauda started as an actor, realized the instability, and pursued law for financial security.
   • Maintains dual careers: education attorney and filmmaker, blending purpose (helping youth) and passion (storytelling).

2. Film Details

   • Title: Love the Skin You’re In.
   • Themes: Self-love, family healing, caretaking, and African-American experiences.
   • Cast includes Wendy Raquel Robinson, Marla Gibbs, and Oba Babatundé.
   • Release: Limited theatrical run (Dec 17–23 in North Hollywood), streaming planned for February 2026 (Black History Month).

3. Production Challenges

   • Unexpected permit issues caused shutdowns.
   • Tight 4-week shooting schedule due to budget constraints.
   • Importance of leveraging relationships and calling in favors for casting and resources.

4. Personal Connection

   • Story inspired by Sauda’s own struggles with self-worth during college.
   • Emphasizes therapy, faith, and support systems in overcoming self-doubt.

5. Entrepreneurial Insight

   • First project was self-financed; future plans include raising private equity for films.
   • Goal: Maintain creative control while expanding opportunities for others.

6. Impact & Audience Takeaway

   • Encourages self-acceptance and repairing family relationships.
   • Resonates with men on fatherhood and emotional presence.
   • Highlights the underappreciated role of caretakers.

Notable Quotes

• On purpose and passion:
  “My purpose is to help young people. My passion is this filmmaking business.”

• On self-love:
  “Love the skin you’re in is about total self-acceptance regardless of where you are on your journey.”

• On overcoming fear:
  “Film is unpredictable… I said, okay, the other fears—do it anyway.”

• On family relationships:
  “We are not promised tomorrow… Fix these family relationships if they’re possible to be fixed.”

• On entrepreneurial mindset:
  “I absolutely would like to use other people’s money… but keep creative control.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cheryl McKissack Daniel. 

Topic: Legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurship of the McKissack family, as detailed in the book The Black Family Who Built America.

Cheryl shares the powerful story of her family's 230-year legacy in architecture and construction, making McKissack & McKissack the oldest minority woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the U.S. The conversation explores themes of generational resilience, Black excellence, business strategy, and personal growth.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Highlight the McKissack family’s historical and cultural impact on American infrastructure and Black entrepreneurship.
2. Promote the book The Black Family Who Built America as a record of legacy and inspiration.
3. Inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs with lessons on perseverance, succession planning, and self-identity.
4. Address the importance of preserving Black history in the face of cultural erasure.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🏗️ Legacy & Impact

• McKissack & McKissack has contributed to major U.S. infrastructure projects like:
  • Barclays Center
  • JFK Terminal One
  • LaGuardia Airport
  • Penn Station
  • Lincoln Financial Field

“We are the fifth generation. Right. And we're Black in America.”

📚 Historical Significance

• The family legacy began with Moses McKissack, who was enslaved and later became a builder.
• Cheryl’s ancestors were the first licensed Black architects in America (licenses 117 and 118 in Tennessee).

“They became the first Black licensed architects in America… and helped get licensed in 22 other states.”

💼 Business Wisdom

• Cheryl emphasizes the importance of:
  • Succession planning
  • Understanding both technical and political buyers
  • Building relationships before you need them

“You better have that relationship before you need it.”

🧠 The 5 Ps of Family Resilience

1. Perseverance
2. Persistence
3. Preparedness
4. Purpose
5. Prayer

“Sometimes you do get up in the morning and you say it's not for me… You have to come back and meditate on the fact that you're a winner.”

🧘‍♀️ Personal Growth & Mental Health

• Cheryl discusses overcoming stress, rediscovering herself after a difficult marriage, and the importance of meditation.

“Being yourself is what we're talking about… I recognize that I am currently feeling stressed out. So what do I need to do?”

👩‍👧‍👧 Women in Leadership

• Cheryl’s mother took over the business after her father’s stroke, despite societal barriers.

“She only knew the telephone number to the office at that time… but she knew deep inside that she wanted to hold on for the fifth generation.”

🎥 Representation & Media

• The book and Cheryl’s story aim to counteract negative portrayals of Black people in media and history.

“You may not have known about Black excellence. You just ignored it. But we exist.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Black people built America. Now, that's the point we're making here.”
• “You have to say the opposite to yourself. And you have to put one foot in front of the other.”
• “This book is a receipt to say we are around. We have a foundation. We're not going anywhere.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Purpose of the Interview

• To highlight Marsha Evans’ work as a licensed professional counselor and founder of Willow Tree Counseling and Educational Center.
• To explore strategies for navigating life’s complex stages, breaking generational patterns, and building authentic relationships.
• To provide actionable insights for entrepreneurs and individuals on self-awareness, fear management, and relationship dynamics.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Complexity

   • Life stages vary in complexity for each person—middle school for some, adulthood for others.
   • Evans emphasizes listening and identifying what balance, peace, or contentment means for each individual.

2. Early Awareness and Discipline

   • At age 12, Evans set a goal to earn a scholarship, showing intentionality and discipline.
   • Athletics taught her teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience, shaping her leadership style.

3. Reading the Room

   • Start by reading yourself—know your energy and intentions.
   • Authenticity and confidence are key to building relationships and leveraging opportunities.

4. Fear and Family Systems

   • Fear often originates from family systems and generational patterns, not just personal experiences.
   • Example: Parents’ limited worldview can project fear of the unknown onto children.
   • Recognizing these patterns helps individuals break cycles and pursue their own paths.

5. Generational Patterns & Healing

   • Evans uses Genograms (visual family trees) to identify psychological and behavioral patterns across three generations.
   • Acceptance of parents and family history is crucial for personal and professional growth.
   • Rejecting parents = rejecting life and success; honor them while creating new narratives.

6. Practical Steps for Change

   • Build a relationship with yourself through solitude, meditation, yoga, and movement.
   • Reduce stress (cortisol levels) to improve clarity and decision-making.
   • Examine your money story—how family attitudes toward money shape your financial behavior.

7. Relationships

   • Romantic: Partners often mirror unresolved childhood issues; do inner work to avoid projecting.
   • Professional: Maintain boundaries; emotional needs should not be placed on workplace relationships.
   • Personal: Define roles clearly; avoid expecting friends to fill parental gaps.

8. Consistency and Authenticity

   • Success requires consistency with yourself before expecting it from others.
   • Ask: Are your goals truly yours or influenced by societal expectations?

Notable Quotes

• “I become a visitor in your world and start listening to your story.”
• “Reading the room starts with reading yourself.”
• “Fear is often not yours—it comes from your family system.”
• “You can’t reject your parents; when you reject your mother, you reject life.”
• “Consistency with yourself is key to achieving the results you desire.”
• “Your partner cannot carry the burden of your parents.”
• “People are divorced from themselves—I teach them how to get married to themselves.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase Sharise Nance’s mission in mental health advocacy, entrepreneurship, and workplace wellness.
• To discuss her companies:
  • Hand in Hand Counseling Services – addressing mental health disparities in Black communities.
  • Vitamin C Healing – building trauma-sensitive, wellness-centered workplace cultures.
• To educate on stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and financial equity in the mental health field.

Key Takeaways

1. Hand in Hand Counseling Services

   • Founded with college roommate Tess Kenny in Pittsburgh.
   • Created a safe space for mental health support in underserved communities.
   • Celebrating 12 years in operation.

2. Breaking Mental Health Stigma

   • Built trust through community presence and transparency.
   • Advocated therapy as normal: “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
   • Education on what therapy is and isn’t.

3. Understanding Stress

   • Eustress (positive stress) vs. Distress (overwhelming stress).
   • Physical signs: sweating, rapid heartbeat, tense shoulders, jaw clenching.
   • Stress can lead to depression and anxiety—seek professional help.

4. Impact of COVID-19

   • Isolation amplified mental health issues.
   • Introduced concept of co-regulation—healing through community and connection.

5. Vitamin C Healing

   • Originated from her book Vitamin C Healing for the Mind, Body.
   • Evolved into a brand offering workshops, consultations, and burnout assessments.
   • Focused on helping professionals and leaders prevent compassion fatigue.

6. Financial Equity in Mental Health

   • Advocates for fair pay: “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
   • Challenges the mindset that passion work means low income.
   • Encourages professionals to set boundaries and value their expertise.

7. Burnout & Organizational Cost

   • Unaddressed burnout costs companies millions annually.
   • Leads to quiet quitting, low productivity, and high turnover.
   • Investing in wellness saves money and improves culture.

8. Personal Journey

   • Biggest bet: leaving full-time job in 2017 to pursue entrepreneurship.
   • Therapy helped her navigate fear and grief (especially after losing her father).
   • Quote: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Notable Quotes

• “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
• “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
• “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
• “We heal when we are in community—it’s hard to heal in isolation.”
• “Compassion fatigue isn’t just a feel-good topic; it costs companies millions.”
• “Betting on myself was the best investment I ever made.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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