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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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Thursday, January 8th, 2026. Subject: "Double Standards Are A Thing Of The Past"

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Cameka Smith.

Founder of The BOSS Network, from Money Making Conversations Masterclass:

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aimed to:

• Highlight The BOSS Network’s mission to empower women of color through entrepreneurship, career development, and community support.
• Share Dr. Smith’s personal journey from layoff to leadership, inspiring others to embrace entrepreneurship.
• Discuss strategies for business success, funding opportunities, and mentorship for Black female founders.

Key Takeaways

1. Origin of The BOSS Network

   • Founded in 2009 during the recession after Dr. Smith was laid off from Chicago Public Schools.
   • Initially started as local events in Chicago; now a digital community reaching 200,000 women nationwide.
   • Mission: Bringing Out Successful Sisters (BOSS)—promoting small business spirit and career growth.

2. Impact & Achievements

   • Invested in 100 Black female founders through grants.
   • Trained 50,000 women on business strategies.
   • Coached 10,000 women on starting businesses.
   • Created Boss Business University, offering mentorship and digital programs.

3. Pivot During COVID

   • Shifted from 35% event-based revenue to 75% digital.
   • Launched Boss Impact Fund and Invest in Progress Grant:
     • $10,000 grants + 4-year scholarships for recipients.
     • Combined funding, mentorship, and marketing support for sustainability.

4. Challenges & Mindset

   • Entrepreneurship requires planning, resilience, and community support.
   • Dr. Smith saved money before leaving her job and leveraged relationships for growth.
   • Quote: “Entrepreneurs will work 80 hours for themselves but don’t want to work 40 hours for someone else.”

5. Top 3 Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make

   • Lack of research: Understand your industry, competitors, and market.
   • No revenue model: If you’re not making money, it’s a hobby, not a business.
   • Ignoring relationships: Networking and partnerships are key to success.

6. Unique Marketing & Partnerships

   • Dr. Smith built direct relationships with brands, bypassing agencies that offered “pennies on the dollar.”
   • Created a dual revenue model: B2B (corporate partnerships) + B2C (community engagement).

7. Core Philosophy

   • Motto: Believe, Plan, Win.
   • Quote: “Those that show up, go up.”
   • Success is rooted in faith, persistence, and leveraging community.

Notable Quotes

• “I was born to be an entrepreneur. My mother told me, until you become your own boss, you have to follow the rules.”
• “Less than 1% of Black women get VC funding—so we created our own fund.”
• “Relationships are your key to success. When social media goes away, your audience remains.”
• “If you have a business and you don’t have money, you’ve got a hobby.”
• “God will not birth anything inside of you that He will not give you the tools to deliver.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Justin M. Lee.

Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase Dr. Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multi-industry entrepreneur.
• To inspire listeners with strategies for wealth-building through real estate, construction, and logistics.
• To encourage financial literacy, ownership, and collaboration within underserved communities.
• To issue a call to action for minorities to explore opportunities like Amazon DSP and real estate investment.

Key Takeaways

1. Early Career & Education

   • Started young in real estate, embraced discomfort in rooms dominated by older professionals.
   • Leveraged millennial tech skills (social media marketing) to help veteran brokers grow.
   • Earned a doctorate degree and became a licensed real estate broker.

2. Social Media as a Business Tool

   • Built a strong presence on TikTok (90K followers) and other platforms.
   • Helped older real estate firms thrive by creating digital visibility.
   • Emphasized that “business must look as good online as in person.”

3. Financial Literacy & Homeownership

   • African-American communities often lack foundational financial knowledge.
   • Key barriers: misunderstanding credit, fear of debt, and lack of exposure to ownership benefits.
   • Advocates teaching the difference between good debt (real estate) and bad debt (consumer credit).

4. Real Estate Process

   • Initial onboarding: credit score, income, tax filing.
   • Connect clients with lenders, secure pre-approval, then negotiate and close within 30–45 days.
   • Uses property tours as motivation even for those not yet approved.

5. Pooling Resources for Wealth

   • Industry dominated by white men and foreign investors who use syndication.
   • Dr. Lee created a private family fund with fraternity brothers and friends.
   • Acquired 150+ apartment units and commercial properties by pooling resources and forming LLCs.

6. Amazon DSP Opportunity

   • Owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business (42 trucks, 200 employees).
   • Offers minorities a chance to apply for DSP with $10K grant.
   • Taught him true CEO skills: HR, payroll, compliance, and scaling operations.

7. Construction Business

   • Entered construction after experiencing exploitation in fix-and-flip projects.
   • Learned the business side (permits, change orders) and got licensed.
   • Built major projects like a 10,000 sq. ft. restaurant in Atlanta.
   • Advocates for Black representation in construction, an industry dominated by whites and Hispanics.

8. Personal Background

   • Raised in New Orleans during Katrina by a single mother and grandparents.
   • Mother invested FEMA checks into real estate, teaching him property management and renovation skills early.
   • Believes knowledge is power and emphasizes planning and consistency.

Notable Quotes

• On embracing discomfort:
  “I learned to embrace the uncomfort and make it one of my biggest strengths.”

• On social media:
  “You have to make your business look the same way online as in person.”

• On financial literacy:
  “Real estate is always going to be good debt. Bad debt is the Macy’s card.”

• On collaboration:
  “Pooling resources shows how far we can go and how fast we can go—but together.”

• On planning:
  “If you don’t plan, you plan to fail. All you have to do is stick to the plan.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

A seasoned financial literacy educator and coach. Laura shares her deeply personal journey into financial education, sparked by a lack of preparedness in her own life and a family experience that resulted in the loss of generational wealth. Through candid storytelling and practical advice, she empowers listeners to take control of their financial futures with strategic planning, budgeting, and mindset shifts.

🧭 Key Themes

• Financial Empowerment: Building financial literacy to live life on your own terms.
• Generational Wealth: The importance of estate planning and legacy preservation.
• Budgeting & Cash Flow: Identifying spending leaks and creating emergency funds.
• Mindset Over Age: Rejecting age as a limitation to financial or personal growth.
• Community Impact: Educating underserved communities and promoting financial independence.

🗂️ Episode Outline

1. Introduction by Rushion McDonald

   • Purpose of the show and encouragement to learn from others’ success stories.

2. Meet Laura Finney

   • Financial coach and educator with a mission to empower through financial literacy.

3. Turning Point at 50

   • Laura’s wake-up call after her 50th birthday and the realization of financial unpreparedness.

4. Family Legacy Lost

   • A powerful story of losing family land due to lack of a will, now replaced by an Amazon facility.

5. Common Financial Mistakes

   • Taking advice without personalized planning.
   • Misunderstanding retirement and financial independence.

6. Advice for 30s and 40s

   • Pay yourself first.
   • Avoid inaccessible savings vehicles.
   • Start planning early.

7. Budgeting Tips

   • Cut back on dining out, personal care, and entertainment.
   • Build emergency funds—even starting with $1/day.

8. Financial Misconceptions

   • Living for today vs. planning for tomorrow.
   • The myth of “having time” to save later.

9. How Laura Works with Clients

   • Initial consultation → personalized interview → strategic financial roadmap.

10. Closing Thoughts

    • Encouragement to take control of your financial future and live life on your terms.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Nobody’s really retiring. We’re not great-grandma on the porch with lemonade anymore.”
• “Don’t let age define how you live your life.”
• “Everything starts with a budget.”
• “You can’t chase money. You have to plan for it.”
• “If you can save a dollar a day, you can build an emergency fund.”

👤 About the Guest: Laura Finney

Laura Finney is a financial literacy educator with over eight years of experience in the financial services industry. She specializes in delivering personalized financial literacy programs, workshops, and one-on-one consultations. Her mission is to help individuals and families achieve financial stability and long-term success through education, strategic planning, and empowerment.

📞 Contact Laura Finney

• Website: LauraFinneyEnterprises.net

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

The managing partner of Guardian Due Diligence.  Here’s a breakdown of the key topics and highlights:

Key Themes & Highlights

1. Buying Small Businesses vs. Franchises

   • Holland explains the differences between purchasing a franchise and acquiring an independent business.
   • He highlights the risk-reward balance, noting that franchises offer a structured model, while independent businesses can be more lucrative but require deeper due diligence.

2. Financial Strategies for Business Acquisition

   • He discusses the SBA 7(a) loan program, which allows buyers to acquire businesses with 90-95% financing, making ownership more accessible.
   • Holland explains how leveraging financing can turn a small investment into a million-dollar business.

3. Due Diligence & Avoiding Bad Deals

   • He emphasizes the importance of financial diligence to ensure buyers don’t acquire failing businesses.
   • Holland shares red flags to watch for, such as misleading financials and sellers masking poor performance.

4. Masterclass for First-Time Buyers

   • Holland introduces his Business Buying Masterclass, designed to educate entrepreneurs on the acquisition process.
   • He provides one-on-one coaching, helping buyers navigate financing, negotiations, and deal structuring.

5. Success Stories & Case Studies

   • He shares examples of clients who successfully acquired businesses, including a 24-year-old entrepreneur and a 60-year-old investor.
   • Holland highlights how his expertise helped buyers secure financing, conduct due diligence, and close profitable deals.

About Elliot Holland & Guardian Due Diligence

Elliot Holland is a Harvard MBA, private equity investor, and business acquisition expert. He founded Guardian Due Diligence to help first-time buyers confidently purchase profitable businesses. His firm specializes in financial diligence, ensuring buyers make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Through his masterclass and consulting, Holland empowers entrepreneurs to build wealth through business ownership.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Leola Anifowoshe.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Educate listeners on the science and solutions behind hair loss.
• Introduce Dr. Leola Anifowoshe’s work in functional medicine, trichology, and holistic hair restoration.
• Share her personal journey and expertise.
• Promote her clinic, products, and diagnostic approach to hair and scalp health.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Hair Loss is Treatable and Often Misunderstood

• Hair follicles may be dormant, not dead—where there’s life, there’s hope.
• Hair loss is often a symptom of deeper health issues, such as stress, inflammation, or liver dysfunction.

2. Holistic and Functional Approach

• Dr. Leola emphasizes testing over guessing.
• Her clinic uses microscopic scalp analysis, cell inflammation tests, and custom treatment plans.
• She avoids pharmaceuticals, relying on natural remedies and nutraceuticals.

3. Hair Loss as a Health Crisis

• Especially prevalent among Black women, often due to scarring alopecia from early perms.
• The American Hair Loss Association had not studied this demographic adequately.

4. Innovative Technology

• Her clinic developed a patented machine called the ResourciStation, which:
  • Diagnoses scalp conditions.
  • Removes debris.
  • Stimulates follicles.
  • Can transform salons into restoration centers.

5. Personal Story and Motivation

• Dr. Leola experienced hair loss due to sarcoidosis, a form of lupus.
• Her husband’s reaction to her baldness inspired her to create effective products.
• She was raised by blind family members, teaching her to rely on senses beyond sight, influencing her product development.

6. Product Highlights

• Ditch the Itch Shampoo: Detoxifies scalp.
• Smooth & Restore Conditioner: Nourishes hair strands.
• Awakening Complex: Stimulates dormant follicles using natural DHT blockers like pumpkin seed.
• Meltdown Scalp Oxygen Foam: Clears buildup and energizes follicles.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Where there’s life, there’s hope—as it relates to hair follicles.”
• “Hair loss is a bully. You can’t fight it with a butter knife.”
• “We don’t guess—we test.”
• “Hair loss is a whistleblower—it tells you something deeper is wrong.”
• “I kill men back their wives. I give women back their husbands.”
• “I was born on the 4th of July. I was born for this.”
• “You can’t out-give God. Create a vacuum effect—give something to get something.”

🌱 Emotional and Cultural Impact

• Dr. Leola’s work is deeply rooted in community healing, especially for underserved populations.
• She challenges mainstream dermatology and beauty standards, advocating for natural, culturally aware solutions.
• Her clinic offers telehealth, making her services accessible nationwide.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Wednesday, January 7th, 2026. Subject: "New Year, New Body"

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Christina Dukes Brown.

CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic, NJ

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aimed to:

• Raise awareness about the Boys & Girls Club’s impact on underserved communities in Paterson and Passaic, NJ.
• Issue a call to action for volunteers, mentors, corporations, and donors to support youth programs.
• Highlight challenges faced by marginalized communities and how the Club addresses them through education, nutrition, and character-building programs.

Key Takeaways

1. Community Impact

   • The Club serves 1,400 children and teens daily across two main clubhouses and 11 satellite sites.
   • Programs include academic support, tutoring, arts, athletics, and life skills development.

2. Challenges in the Community

   • High rates of homelessness, food deserts, and low literacy and math proficiency (only ~20% literate and ~15% proficient in math in Paterson).
   • Stereotypes and “deficit ideology” that assume poor or minority youth lack capacity for success.

3. Programs and Initiatives

   • Academic Support: Homework help, tutoring, and Saturday sessions.
   • Creative Outlets: Dance, musicals, and arts.
   • Sports & Aquatics: Swimming program praised for breaking stereotypes.
   • Young Adult Support (18–24): Internships, skill-building, and career readiness for those not pursuing college.

4. Call to Action

   • Volunteers and mentors needed to inspire youth.
   • Corporations and entrepreneurs encouraged to provide internships and teach business skills.
   • Donations critical—$4M annual fundraising goal to sustain programs.

5. Dr. Brown’s Motivation

   • Rooted in her upbringing in Jersey City during the crack era.
   • Believes in being part of the solution, not just complaining about systemic issues.
   • Emphasizes building “efficacious spirits” and affirming unique skills in youth.

Notable Quotes

• On Motivation:
  “I can’t complain about the position of Black and Brown people in society if I’m not going to do the work necessary to support its elevation.”

• On Stereotypes:
  “Deficit ideology assumes that if you are poor or minority, you do not have the capacity to be successful. We fight that every day.”

• On Community Support:
  “My community got me where I am today… I’m calling on the village to support what we’re trying to do.”

• On Youth Potential:
  “No matter where you come from, and no matter what you look like, you have the capacity to become great.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aimed to:

• Highlight OneUnited Bank’s mission as the largest Black-owned and first Black-owned internet bank in America.
• Educate listeners on financial literacy, technology-driven banking, and economic empowerment in underserved communities.
• Promote OneUnited Bank’s products and services as solutions for financial challenges faced by Black Americans and others lacking access to traditional banking.

Key Takeaways

1. Historical Context & Mission

   • The concept of a national Black-owned bank dates back to leaders like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Martin Luther King Jr., who emphasized economic empowerment.
   • OneUnited Bank was formed through acquisitions and later pivoted to technology-driven banking.

2. Technology & Innovation

   • OneUnited embraced AI and data aggregation over a decade ago to create products that help customers understand assets, liabilities, and net worth in real time.
   • Banking has shifted from physical branches to digital platforms, enabling nationwide access.

3. Financial Literacy Crisis

   • 90% of Americans lack financial literacy, largely because it’s not taught in schools.
   • Cohee advocates for mandatory K–12 financial literacy education, citing studies showing it can add $126,000 to lifetime net worth.

4. Products Designed for Real Needs

   • CashPlease: Short-term emergency loans at affordable rates.
   • Second Chance Checking: Helps rebuild credit.
   • Savings Programs: Often in collaboration with employers.
   • These products address real-life challenges like low emergency savings and predatory check-cashing fees.

5. Accessibility & Reach

   • OneUnited offers nationwide banking via oneunited.com, surcharge-free ATMs, and partnerships with major networks.
   • Customers can deposit checks online and access services without visiting physical branches.

6. Economic Empowerment

   • Technology enables entrepreneurship without owning physical products—leveraging branding and e-commerce.
   • Cohee draws parallels between today’s tech opportunities and the historical wealth-building of Black Wall Street.

Notable Quotes

• “We are FDIC insured, commercial bank like them. The only difference is we’re smarter and we have better technology.”
• “Technology and AI allow anyone to make decisions like they were an expert.”
• “If we taught financial literacy in schools, it would create over $100,000 in net worth per person over their lifetime.”
• “You don’t have to go to check cashers and get ripped off. Just go to oneunited.com.”
• “We’ve been working on AI for over a decade. We’re not coming to the party—we are the party.”
• “Our generation has technology and communication skills. We can change society.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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