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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Showcase Blayther Sabbat’s mission through his nonprofit Pillars of Success, which empowers returning citizens and at-risk youth.
• Discuss strategies for reducing recidivism and creating pathways to success via mentorship, financial literacy, and career development.
• Inspire individuals and communities to take action toward social impact and economic empowerment.

Key Takeaways

1. Background and Motivation

   • First-generation Haitian-American from Washington, D.C.
   • Athletic background (DeMatha Catholic High School football) instilled discipline and leadership.
   • Personal experiences with family and community challenges inspired his commitment to mentorship and reentry programs.

2. Pillars of Success

   • A 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing wraparound services:
     • Mentorship
     • Financial literacy
     • Life and work skills
     • Career development and housing support
   • Focus on empowering returning citizens and at-risk youth to reintegrate successfully into society.

3. Challenges and Misconceptions

   • Common stigma: People assume returning citizens are “bad individuals.”
   • Reality: Many are in survival mode and lack resources, not character.
   • Success requires personal accountability and willingness to change.

4. Impact and Measurement

   • Success is defined as progress, even small steps like consistent routines or positive mindset.
   • Emphasis on action: “The difference between success and failure is taking action.”

5. Affordable Housing Advocacy

   • Sabbat worked at D.C. Housing Authority for 8 years, rising from clerical assistant to certified housing inspector.
   • Purchased property at age 26, faced conflict-of-interest issues, and resigned to pursue real estate and community impact full-time.

6. Career Development and Partnerships

   • Promotes trades (plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, IT) as sustainable career paths.
   • Partnerships with Google for digital literacy tools and scholarships.
   • Collaborates with local universities and organizations for training and job placement.

7. Financial Literacy

   • Learned through personal experience buying property on a $35K salary.
   • Advocates understanding credit, banking, and responsible money management.

8. Call to Action

   • Support through donations, mentorship, volunteering, and spreading awareness.
   • Website: www.pillarsofsuccess202.com

Notable Quotes

• On stigma:
  “People judge returning citizens as bad individuals without knowing their story. Many are just in survival mode.”

• On success:
  “Progress—any form of it—is success. The difference between success and failure is taking action.”

• On leadership:
  “We don’t succeed unless they succeed.”

• On financial literacy:
  “It’s not about how much you make—it’s about what you do with it.”

• On courage:
  “I walk by faith. Fearless. Failure and fear are the same—you learn from mistakes.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Attorney Tessie D. Edwards.

A family and criminal law attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and themes from the episode:

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Early Life & Adversity

• Tessie Edwards grew up in a challenging environment marked by poverty, teen pregnancy, and systemic injustice.
• She became a mother at 16, dropped out of high school, and had her second child by 18.
• Despite these challenges, she never lost sight of her dream to become a lawyer.

2. Turning Point

• A pivotal moment came when someone told her that her daughter looked like her. That realization sparked a deep desire to become someone her daughter could look up to.

3. Relentless Pursuit of Education

• Earned her GED, then an associate degree to qualify for military service.
• After a brief stint in the military (cut short due to pregnancy and miscarriage), she pursued higher education.
• Graduated from Indiana University with five children and went on to law school with her then-husband.

4. Professional Success

• Now runs a multi-million dollar law firm in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Has handled over 2,000 criminal cases and is deeply committed to serving families in crisis.
• Her firm has been serving the Atlanta community for over 15 years.

5. Support System

• Credits her success to a strong support network: her husband (who co-runs the firm), her children, her brother, and her team.
• Emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision.

6. Advice & Motivation

• Be clear about your goals and stay focused.
• Don’t wait for the “right time”—start now.
• Believe in your dream even when others don’t.
• Use adversity as fuel for your ambition.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “I feel thankful but not satisfied.”
• “My life was so divinely chosen… I was just given a dream and the courage to go after it.”
• “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase Lawrence Phillips’ entrepreneurial journey from engineering to founding Green Book Global, a travel review platform for Black travelers.
• To highlight the significance of Black Ambition, an initiative by Pharrell Williams supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
• To inspire listeners about resilience, innovation, and the importance of culturally inclusive travel resources.

Key Takeaways

1. Background & Career Shift

   • Phillips studied Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech and worked at Accenture in IT consulting for nearly a decade.
   • Despite career success, he felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue his passion for travel, leading to the creation of Green Book Global.

2. Travel Experience

   • Traveled to 30+ countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica, in less than a year.
   • Realized the need for a platform addressing “traveling while Black” concerns—safety, cultural acceptance, and inclusivity.

3. Green Book Global

   • Inspired by the historical Green Book (1936–1966), which guided Black travelers during segregation.
   • Offers city-level Black-friendly scores, road trip planners, and Black-owned restaurant recommendations.
   • Over 150,000 app downloads in 2025; partnered with Expedia; strong social media presence.

4. Black Ambition Program

   • Phillips applied three times before reaching semifinals, emphasizing persistence.
   • Program provided funding opportunities and a transformative Evoke Wellness experience.
   • His personal “why” statement:
     “I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.”

5. Impact & Vision

   • Advocates systemic change by partnering with destinations to improve inclusivity.
   • Highlights the economic power of Black travelers (over $140 billion annually).
   • Encourages Black travelers to explore global opportunities beyond U.S. racial constraints.

Notable Quotes

• “You can be successful and still not be happy.” — On leaving a lucrative career for passion.
• “I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” — His guiding principle.
• “There’s riches in niches.” — On unapologetically focusing on Black travelers.
• “Just because somebody said no doesn’t mean they said no to you—they said no at that time.” — On persistence in entrepreneurship.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Purpose of the Interview

• To share Dr. Wall’s expertise as a neuroscience coach, criminal justice professor, author, and mentor.
• To discuss her mission through 1 Million Lives Transform, a global movement helping women unmute their voices and lead with authenticity and confidence.
• To provide actionable strategies for overcoming self-doubt, fear, and imposter syndrome in professional and personal settings.

Key Takeaways

1. Background and Roles

   • Served 20 years in law enforcement and continues teaching criminal justice and ethical leadership.
   • Founder of 1 Million Lives Transform, focused on empowering women to reclaim their voices.

2. Unmuting Your Voice

   • Many professionals mute themselves due to fear, lack of confidence, or imposter syndrome.
   • Techniques:
     • Awareness: Recognize when you’re silencing yourself.
     • Pause and breathe before responding.
     • Stand up when speaking in meetings to command attention and project confidence.
     • Use phrases like “I’d like to build on that point” to engage respectfully.

3. Mindset and Fear

   • What you tell yourself matters more than external criticism.
   • Replace negative self-talk with affirmations and surround yourself with positive influences.
   • Neuroscience supports that repeated positive input rewires thought patterns.

4. Boundaries and Time Management

   • Learn to say “No” as a complete sentence.
   • Set boundaries for phone calls and social interactions to protect productivity.
   • Busy professionals should establish communication rules (e.g., “Do you have a minute?”).

5. Authenticity and Leadership

   • Authenticity is key—embrace your natural gifts and use them to transform spaces.
   • Leadership requires mindset shifts when moving from peer to manager roles.
   • Mentorship should be intentional and specific, not generic (“pick your brain” requests need structure).

6. 1 Million Lives Transform

   • A movement to help women rewrite their narratives, reclaim confidence, and lead boldly.
   • Focus on self-awareness, boundaries, and empowerment strategies.

Notable Quotes

• “Notice in that moment that you are muting yourself.”
• “Stand up when you speak—you command the room.”
• “No is a complete sentence.”
• “Our gifts are not for us; they are for other people.”
• “What you say to yourself does more damage than anything anyone else could say.”
• “Authenticity isn’t lip service—it’s showing up as who you truly are.”
• “Boundaries are not selfish; they are necessary.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Tuesday, December 9th, 2025. Subject: "He Doesn't Know Me In Public"

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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview on Money Making Conversations Masterclass with Rushion McDonald and Jocelyn Pearson aimed to:

• Share Jocelyn’s journey of graduating debt-free by securing $126,350 in scholarships.
• Educate families on how to avoid student loan debt through her proven system, The Scholarship System.
• Dispel myths about scholarships and provide actionable steps for parents and students.

Key Takeaways

1. Scholarship System Approach

   • Jocelyn developed a six-step process to simplify scholarship applications and avoid overwhelm.
   • Focus on breaking the process into small, manageable steps rather than a vague “go get money” directive.

2. Common Myths Debunked

   • Too early or too late to apply: Start by junior year; it’s never too late—even college seniors can apply.
   • Only perfect students or low-income families qualify: Many scholarships don’t require high GPA or athletic ability.
   • All good scholarships are gone: Smaller, local scholarships ($500–$5,000) add up over time.
   • It takes too much time: With a system and reusable materials, effort decreases each year.

3. Avoiding Scholarship Scams

   • Beware of “easy,” “enter to win,” or sweepstakes-style scholarships—they often sell personal data.
   • Real scholarships require effort and personalization.

4. Role of Parents

   • Parents should help with planning and identifying legitimate scholarships but not complete applications for students.
   • Committees can detect when parents write essays.

5. AI in Scholarship Applications

   • Jocelyn warns against copy-pasting AI-generated essays.
   • Her platform introduced TESS, an AI assistant for ethical guidance and support.

6. Financial Aid Basics

   • Submit FAFSA even if you think you won’t qualify; some colleges and states require it.
   • Combine all sources—government aid, institutional aid, and private scholarships.

7. For Current College Students

   • Check with financial aid offices, academic departments, and organizations for scholarships available after freshman year.

8. Entrepreneurial Journey

   • Jocelyn turned her passion into a business by starting with a book, building an email list, and launching webinars.
   • She emphasizes persistence and ignoring naysayers.

Notable Quotes

• “I had to accumulate my way to getting college paid for—the mere mortals’ way to going to college without tons of debt.”
• “Most families want scholarships, but they get stuck in the overwhelm.”
• “There’s no big red easy button—but with clear steps, it feels less daunting.”
• “We’re saying no to the broken system… It takes, on average, 21 years to pay off student loans.”
• “With great power comes great responsibility—AI can help, but only if used ethically.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Monday, December 8th, 2025. Subject: "I Know My Man's Hands"

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

Purpose of the Interview

The conversation aims to highlight the importance of mental health and wellness, particularly in the Black community, elite sports, and entrepreneurial spaces. It focuses on mental resilience, confidence building, and strategies for handling stress and setbacks, while introducing Dr. Jones’ methodology and his mission through Play 21 Wellness Academy.

Key Takeaways

1. Mental Health in the Black Community

   • Historically stigmatized; seen as weakness or negativity.
   • Today, awareness is improving, but significant work remains.

2. Customized Approach

   • Dr. Jones does individualized analysis and treatment plans for athletes and business professionals.
   • Rejects “cookie-cutter” solutions—tailors strategies to personal circumstances.

3. The Shelving Method

   • A mental organization system with four shelves:
     • Immediate Shelf: Urgent tasks within 24 hours.
     • Active Shelf: Important but less urgent tasks.
     • Holding Shelf: Items to revisit later.
     • Elimination Shelf: Thoughts/tasks to discard permanently.
   • Helps clients focus on the present and avoid dwelling on past mistakes.

4. Confidence & Setbacks

   • Confidence can collapse after major losses or failures.
   • Strategy: Remind clients of their greatness, review past successes, and rebuild momentum.
   • Consistency and adaptability are key to sustaining success.

5. Play 21 Wellness Academy

   • Founded in memory of Ben Wilson, a top basketball player and Dr. Jones’ best friend.
   • Mission: Support youth athletes, address issues like parent/teacher abuse, and provide mental health resources.
   • Operates as both a nonprofit and for-profit entity.

6. Broader Client Base

   • Works with elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and high-level professionals.
   • Mental clarity and emotional control are critical for success in any field.

7. Health & Balance

   • Encourages regular medical checkups, stress management, and work-life balance.
   • Advocates for self-reward and stepping out of comfort zones while maintaining wellness.

8. Upcoming Projects

   • Book: Chi-Town Blueprints (personal story and mental resilience).
   • Workbook on the Shelving Method for schools, universities, and professionals.

Notable Quotes

• On Mental Health Stigma:
  “When people talked about mental health, the first thought was negative.”

• On Focus:
  “You can’t take the last play to the next play.”

• On Success:
  “Mental thinking is a huge part of success.”

• On Confidence:
  “Remind yourself of what got you to the point where you were winning.”

• On Consistency:
  “You’ve never seen a Brinks truck behind a funeral car—the graveyard is the richest place because people die with million-dollar dreams.”

• On Purpose:
  “Walk in your purpose. When you walk in your purpose, there’s no stopping you.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Friday, December 5th, 2025. Subject: "Went Under Cover & Ended Up Under The Covers"

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

A dynamic entrepreneur and founder of Legend Life Financial. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and insights from the episode:

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Early Entrepreneurship

• By age 22, Brianna owned two clothing stores and a hair salon in Chicago.
• Inspired by her father, a long-time financial services professional, she developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit early on.

2. Transition to Financial Services

• At 24, she pivoted into financial services, initially resistant to the idea due to its lack of “cool” appeal.
• She passed her state licensing exam and is now licensed in over 30 states.
• Her company, Legend Life Financial, focuses on life insurance and financial education.

3. Insurance Education & Transparency

• Brianna emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between:
  • Term Life Insurance: Affordable, fixed for a set term (e.g., 20–30 years), but can increase if it's an annual renewable term.
  • Whole Life Insurance: Permanent, more expensive, builds cash value slowly.
  • Indexed Universal Life (IUL): Tied to stock market performance with capped gains and protected downside.
  • Universal Life: Flexible premiums, moderate cash value growth.
  • Final Expense Policies: For individuals with health or legal issues, typically lower coverage.

4. Client Advocacy

• She stresses the need to ask questions like “What type of policy is this?” and to avoid blindly trusting agents—especially those who may not stay in the business long-term.
• She follows up with clients regularly and educates them on evolving insurance needs.

5. Mentorship & Impact

• Brianna has mentored over 250 life insurance agents and served more than 5,000 families.
• She’s passionate about empowering people of color through financial literacy and entrepreneurship.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Fear is just false expectations appearing real.”
• “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
• “You don’t have to work more to make more—you just have to work smarter.”

📍 Contact & Resources

• Website: LegendLife.com (spelled with a “Z” – LegzendLife.com)
• Phone: (312) 768-3604
• Social Media: @BriannaKaylaJ on all platforms

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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