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

Founder of Dr. Shica’s Bakery, and the conversation centers around her inspiring journey from educator to successful entrepreneur in the plant-based dessert industry.

Key Highlights from the Transcript:

• Origin Story: Dr. Shica began baking seriously after losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraged by a marketing director, she launched her bakery business.
• Why Vegan?: She chose to make vegan cookies to cater to people with dietary restrictions (e.g., lactose intolerance, dairy allergies) and to offer a healthier, inclusive dessert option.
• Celebrity Support: Her cookies gained popularity in L.A., attracting celebrity clients like Doug Allen (creator of Entourage) and Teri Weinberg (producer of The Office), and even making a birthday cake for Jessica Simpson.
• Product Line: Includes chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, lemon, confetti sugar cookies, and cookie dough mixes. She emphasizes premium ingredients and a unique signature flavor.
• Expansion: Her products are launching in over 4,100 stores including HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls across the U.S. and Canada.
• International Recognition: Selected to speak at the largest snacks and sweets show in Dubai and participate in Canada’s minority supplier program.
• Vision: Aspires to be the “Betty Crocker or Nabisco of plant-based cookies,” with a legacy brand featuring her face as the logo.
• Advice: Her secret to success is staying “prayed up” and working hard, especially as a minority female entrepreneur.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, and author. The conversation centers around her memoir, I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To, and offers a rich blend of personal storytelling, cultural insight, and motivational wisdom.

📘 About the Memoir

Title: I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To
Tone: Comedic, honest, emotional, and empowering
Purpose: To share Loni’s journey from the Detroit projects to Hollywood, while inspiring readers to embrace their authentic selves.

🌟 Key Themes & Highlights 🏙️ Early Life & Upbringing

• Grew up in the Brewster Projects in Detroit.
• Raised by a strong community of Black women, including her mother, babysitter Miss Brooks (a Jehovah’s Witness), and other influential women like her Girl Scout leader and Miss Fever.
• Emphasizes the importance of the “village” in shaping her values and resilience.

🎓 Education & HBCU Experience

• Attended Prairie View A&M University (an HBCU), where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
• Credits her college experience and sorority sisters for bailing her out of jail during a pivotal moment in her youth.
• Studied electrical engineering and later worked at General Motors before transitioning into entertainment.

😂 Humor & Hardship

• The memoir balances levity with serious topics like racism, wrongful arrest, and self-doubt.
• Chapter 8, where she’s thrown in jail for trespassing, is highlighted as both hilarious and eye-opening.
• Each chapter ends with a joke to bring levity to even the darkest moments.

💪 Empowerment & Mentorship

• Encourages readers to trust themselves and not conform to others’ expectations.
• Discusses the importance of mentorship and how someone saw potential in her beyond her factory job.
• Shares how Rushion McDonald personally mentored her during a difficult time in her TV career.

🎭 Career & Creativity

• Talks about her journey into comedy, acting, and co-hosting The Real.
• Reflects on her first film role in Soul Plane and the realities of the entertainment industry.
• Advocates for journaling and documenting personal history, especially for Black voices.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “This is a love letter to my fans.”
• “If you feel hopeless, if you need some inspiration… understand that you are from a strong stock of people.”
• “We have to share our stories to show them the experiences that we've come through.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Author of Bootstrap Millionaire and CFO of Cadence Ventures, Inc.:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To inspire and educate aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals by sharing Tim Mercer’s journey from humble beginnings to financial success, emphasizing the importance of hard work, faith, planning, and leveraging government contracts and nontraditional financing.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

1. Background & Journey

   • Tim Mercer grew up in Mullins, South Carolina, in modest circumstances.
   • His path to success began with military service, which broadened his worldview and led him to entrepreneurship.

2. Bootstrap Millionaire Philosophy

   • The term “bootstrap” symbolizes hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.
   • Mercer emphasizes that success doesn’t come overnight—it requires grinding, planning, and faith.

3. Importance of a Business Plan

   • A solid business plan is essential for securing funding and guiding business growth.
   • Mercer shares real-life examples of people failing to secure support due to lack of planning.

4. Cadence Ventures, Inc.

   • A boutique private equity firm offering nontraditional financing for real estate investors.
   • Focuses on investment properties and uses the property itself as collateral.

5. Government Contracting

   • Mercer began in government contracting in 2012 and credits it with helping him scale his business.
   • He stresses that while it’s complex and paperwork-heavy, it’s a valuable opportunity for minority-owned businesses.
   • Free resources like SAM.gov and Georgia Tech’s GT PAC can help entrepreneurs navigate the process.

6. Success Requires Sacrifice

   • Mercer highlights that every successful person has a story of struggle and sacrifice.
   • His book’s first chapter, “See the Glory, Don’t Know the Story,” encapsulates this message.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “If you want to have the things tomorrow that other people won’t have, then you got to be willing to do the things today that other people won’t do.” — Tim Mercer quoting Les Brown
• “There’s no success without sacrifice.” — Tim Mercer
• “You can only make as much as the customer that you have.” — Tim Mercer on scaling through government contracts
• “See the glory, don’t know the story.” — Chapter title from Bootstrap Millionaire

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

A trailblazer in private aviation and author of Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You.

✈️ Key Topics Discussed 1. Stephanie Chung’s Career Journey

• Started as a baggage handler.
• Rose to become President of JetSuite and Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up.
• One of the few African American women to lead in private aviation.

2. Understanding Private Aviation

• Private jets offer flexibility and convenience—you fly on your schedule.
• Access to 5,000+ airports vs. 500 for commercial airlines.
• Used not just by celebrities, but also high-net-worth individuals and for humanitarian missions.

3. Ally Leadership Philosophy

• Today’s workforce includes six generations, diverse ethnicities, genders, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Leadership must evolve to meet people where they are.
• The book emphasizes inclusive leadership beyond race and gender.

4. Leadership Lessons

• Importance of human connection and empathy.
• Knowing your team beyond their job titles—understanding their lives and motivations.
• Listening is as important as speaking.

5. Generational Differences in the Workplace

• Millennials and Gen Z value work-life balance and flexibility.
• Older generations often driven by fear of being replaced or missing opportunities.
• Leaders must bridge these gaps with understanding and adaptability.

6. The Role of Fear

• Fear can hinder growth, especially in older generations.
• Fear of technology, being replaced, or taking time off.
• Good leadership helps alleviate fear and fosters collaboration.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “You don’t have to be a celebrity to fly private. Most people who do, you’ve never heard of.”
• “Ally leadership is not just about race or gender—it’s about everyone.”
• “If it’s a problem with millennials, we raised them. Look in the mirror.”
• “The differentiator isn’t just your product—it’s the human connection.”
• “Decisions are made by people who look left, right, and forward—never behind. Stay in their line of sight.”

#BEST

#SHMS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

A serial entrepreneur with multiple businesses including:

• • Landscaping (Family Lawn Services)
  • Mortgage lending (commercial and residential)
  • Business consulting (especially on proper business structuring)

🌱 Entrepreneurial Journey

• Mela and her husband transitioned from retail management jobs (Walgreens and Walmart) to starting their own lawn care business.
• The motivation was to build generational wealth and leave a legacy for their children.
• They faced major setbacks, including the theft of their truck and equipment, but persevered and rebuilt.

🧘 Mental Health & Meditation

• Mila emphasizes the importance of mental health, especially for entrepreneurs.
• She shares her experience with postpartum depression and how meditation and journaling helped her heal and manage stress.
• She advocates for taking time to decompress and reset, especially when overwhelmed.

🌿 Lawn Care Insights

• Mila explains the difference between lawn maintenance and landscaping.
• She stresses the importance of quality work and customer trust.
• Rashawn shares a humorous but cautionary tale about hiring an unqualified landscaper who ruined his hedges.

💡 Business Advice

• Mela encourages:
  • Multiple streams of income
  • Proper business structure
  • Resilience in the face of adversity
• She highlights the importance of reputation and referrals in growing a service-based business.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Nina Sossamon-Pogue.

A former elite gymnast, Emmy-winning news anchor, bestselling author, and resilience expert.

Here’s a summary of the key themes and insights from the episode:

🎙️ Guest Introduction: Nina Sossamon-Pogue

• Former USA Gymnastics team member and Emmy-winning news anchor.
• Author of This Is Not the End and host of the podcast This Seriously Sucks.
• Focuses on helping people navigate life’s toughest transitions with resilience.

🧠 Mental Health & Daily Routines

• Nina emphasizes the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and limiting early phone use to start the day with clarity.
• Rushion shares his own structured morning routine and how it helps him manage stress and stay productive.

💪 Resilience and Personal Growth

• Nina defines resilience as the ability to adapt positively and grow stronger from adversity.
• She encourages people to reflect on what’s going right, what needs attention, and how to move forward with purpose.

🧍‍♀️ Body Image, Athletics & Social Media

• Nina shares her experience with body dysmorphia and bulimia during her gymnastics career in the 1980s.
• She discusses the long-term impact of being judged by appearance in both sports and television.
• Offers advice to parents and young athletes on navigating body image in the age of social media.

📘 Her Book: This Is Not the End

• Written for people facing major life setbacks—job loss, injury, grief, or personal failure.
• Nina shares five personal “this is the end” moments, including:
  • Not making the Olympic team.
  • Career-ending knee injury.
  • Losing her job as a news anchor.
  • A traumatic accident at age 37.
• The book provides seven strategies and a four-step framework (T.H.I.S.) to help readers move forward:
  • Timeline: Gain perspective on your life journey.
  • Humans: Lean on others—don’t go it alone.
  • Isolate: Focus on the present moment.
  • Story: Reframe your internal narrative to stay empowered and hirable.

🎧 Podcast Highlight

• Nina’s podcast This Seriously Sucks features guests who’ve overcome major life challenges.
• She highlights Joe Delagrave, a Paralympian and coach, whose story of resilience and transformation deeply inspired her.

💬 Closing Thoughts

• Rushion praises Nina’s authenticity, voice, and ability to connect.
• Nina encourages listeners to embrace their “this” moment and remember: “This is not the end.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kelenda Annette Baird.

• Title: Miss Corporate America
• Roles: Chief Revenue Officer of Reed’s Hideaway & Founder of Limitless
• Location: Based in Chelan, WA; works in Monticello, MS

🏆 Achievements & Recognition

• Won Miss Corporate America after being recruited for her achievements in business and community impact.
• Personally mentored and endorsed by legendary speaker Les Brown.
• Overcame a traumatic car accident just before starting a dream job and still pursued her speaking career.

💼 Professional Journey

• Reed’s Hideaway: A 250-acre multi-venue estate in Mississippi for weddings, retreats, and events.
• Limitless: A social purpose corporation focused on helping at-risk youth and survivors of trafficking, inspired by her global humanitarian work.

💪 Themes of Resilience & Faith

• Survived domestic abuse and a near-fatal car accident.
• Lost a high-level executive job due to injury but found a more fulfilling opportunity.
• Emphasizes faith, adaptability, and purpose-driven work.

💡 Motivational Insights

• Encourages others to pursue meaningful work and not fear change.
• Believes in combining purpose and profit.
• Advocates for mentorship and lifelong learning (e.g., Stanford online courses).

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Founder of Afro Unicorn, joins Money Making Conversations Masterclass to share how she built the first Black woman-owned, fully licensed character brand in major retail. With over $20 million in sales, Afro Unicorn celebrates diversity and empowers women and children of color.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Origins of Afro Unicorn

   • April was inspired by a friend's repeated reference to her as a "unicorn," highlighting her extraordinary ability to balance multiple businesses and raise two children.
   • Noticing existing unicorn imagery lacked representation, she created Afro Unicorn to uplift young girls of color.

2. Challenges & Early Growth

   • Despite facing personal hardships—including her son's hospitalization and several family losses—April remained committed to her mission.
   • Her persistence led to a viral moment where a young girl wearing an Afro Unicorn shirt caught Walmart’s attention, resulting in a licensing deal.

3. Licensing & Expansion

   • Instead of manufacturing herself, April strategically partnered with licensees to distribute Afro Unicorn merchandise.
   • Within a year, she secured 45+ licensing agreements, expanding into books, bedding, hair care, party supplies, and more.

4. Business Strategy & Advice

   • Trademarking Afro Unicorn early, hiring an accountant and lawyer, and writing a business plan were critical to her success.
   • She advises entrepreneurs to visualize success, stay consistent, and never quit.

5. Future Plans

   • April is developing Miss April’s Crown, an animated series teaching young entrepreneurs business skills through affirmations and mentorship.

📘 About the Brand
Afro Unicorn is available at major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

He is the founder of Woodward Property Group, and discusses his journey from poverty to entrepreneurship, his success in real estate, and his commitment to education.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. From Poverty to Business Success

   • Grew up in Miami’s Liberty City, learning business skills from his grandmother, who ran a small candy shop in the projects.
   • Used his experiences to build a career in real estate and education.

2. Educational & Entrepreneurial Journey

   • Founded Alpha Educational Consultants, a tutoring company that expanded into real estate consulting.
   • Mentored students, led college tours, and helped individuals navigate property investments.

3. Building Wealth Through Real Estate

   • Purchased his first duplex at 20, living rent-free while tenants covered the mortgage.
   • Continued acquiring properties, eventually amassing over $1 million in real estate assets.

4. Woodward Property Group & Lowe’s Partnership

   • Transitioned into property management and home improvement, securing a contract with Lowe’s to renovate high-end kitchens.
   • Expanded his business to manage multiple Lowe’s locations across Atlanta.

5. Lessons in Business & Financial Growth

   • Emphasized the importance of credit management and strategic investments.
   • Encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to take calculated risks and seek mentorship.

📘 About Michael Woodward
Michael Woodward is a real estate investor, educator, and entrepreneur based in Atlanta. Through Woodward Property Group, he provides property management and home improvement services, while continuing his mission to mentor and uplift communities through education and financial literacy.

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Friday, October 10th, 2025. Subject: "What Was She Doing While I Was Gone?"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.