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

President of the Financial Institute, shares her inspiring journey from small-town Jackson, Alabama, to leading a major financial organization. She reflects on the challenges and lessons she learned along the way, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy in building generational wealth. Jasmine also explores the historical impact of the destruction of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and its lasting effects on Black economic empowerment. Throughout the conversation, she provides valuable insights on navigating financial success and uplifting communities through education and financial planning. Her story is a testament to perseverance, knowledge, and the power of financial independence.

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

A franchise owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Tucker, GA. A CPA with a master’s degree from Temple University, Shabazz took a leap of faith, working for free and with temp agencies to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. Together, she and Rushion take calls and share valuable insights on what to consider before opening a franchise. Her journey is a testament to determination, strategic planning, and resilience. Tune in for a delicious conversation about the sweet taste of success!

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

A man dedicated to service and community impact. Raised by a drug-abusing mother in the tough city of Detroit, Wheeler overcame adversity to become a leader in philanthropy. He now spearheads an All-Star Food Giveaway, bringing together Hall of Fame athletes, community leaders, and even Michigan’s governor to serve those in need. With over 20 years of service, his journey is a testament to resilience and the power of giving back. Tune in to hear his inspiring motto:“It’s not your condition, it’s your decision-making that makes your destiny

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Tuesday, May 20th, 2025: "He Didn't Know I Was Tracking Him Too"

A woman writes in because she is angry that her husband is tracking her. But she's also tracking him. and she's having an affair. You really need to hear Steve & Shirley's responses to this one!

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dennis Earl (Chairman & CEO) and Mike Pyles (Vice President) of The Haltere Group.

They are a Black-owned real estate syndication and investment firm. Hosted by Rashad McDonald, the conversation centers around financial empowerment, real estate investment, and community uplift, especially within the Black community.

🏢 About The Haltere Group

• Mission: To democratize access to high-value real estate investments, traditionally reserved for wealthy or institutional investors.
• Focus: Multifamily residential properties (not commercial like malls or strip centers).
• Structure: A syndication model where individuals pool funds to invest in large-scale real estate.
• Minimum Investment: $10,000, making it more accessible than typical $50K–$100K thresholds.

💡 Key Themes & Insights

• Education First: The group emphasizes financial literacy and wealth-building education, especially for Black and Brown communities.
• Community Wealth: They aim to shift the narrative from consumerism (clothes, cars) to asset ownership and generational wealth.
• Track Record:
• 135 investors (133 Black)
• Over $15 million raised
• $40+ million in assets under management
• Returns:
• 8% annual cash return
• Equity appreciation from property value increases
• Tax benefits via K-1 forms

🎧 Podcast: “How with Haltere”

• Meaning: “HOW” = Helping Others Win
• Purpose: To educate listeners on entrepreneurship, investing, and financial literacy.
• Availability: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, etc.

🔁 Personal Journeys

• Dennis Earl: Left a successful 25-year real estate career to build wealth for his own community.
• Mike Pyles: Transitioned from residential real estate and a Black-owned alcohol delivery startup to join Haltere, driven by a passion for community upliftment.

📣 Call to Action

The episode ends with a challenge to Black fraternities and organizations (Divine Nine) to invest in Black-owned ventures like Haltere Group to grow collective wealth. #STRAW

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Monday, May 19th, 2025: "His Sister Catfished Me"

A woman writes in because her boyfriend broke up with her after she confided in (who she thought was) another man about how she feels taken for granted. Thing is, that "other man" was actually her boyfriend's 17-year-old sister. Listen to hear the whole story and listen to Steve & Shirley's responses!  

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Hi, I'm Rushion McDonald, the host of the weekly Money Making Conversations Master Class show. This show provides interviews and information for everyone. It’s time to stop reading other people’s success stories and start living your own.  Have you ever thought about starting a business? If so, why did – or didn’t – you do it?
Have you ever hired the wrong people and didn’t do a background check? Have you maybe even hired relatives because your family recommended them?
Have you ever hired someone just because they fit into your budget, but they didn’t have the knowledge to do the job correctly? What about starting a business without a budget or going into business with someone you didn’t really know?
Have I hit some nerves here? Maybe I haven’t and some of you think what I’m saying isn’t that big a deal.  Well, I’m here to tell you that it is, and no one knows that better than me. How do I know this? Because I had to graduate from the “School of Hard Knocks” to get where I am today, and I almost lost my business in the process.
What I did not know was that Amazon has long known that businesses and organizations were shopping for office supplies and other goods in bulk on its store. To better serve us, the company launched Amazon Business in 2015. It’s your one-stop shop to simplify buying and you can create a free account today. Businesses and organizations of all sizes—local hair salons, schools, nonprofits, hospitals, global corporations, and government agencies—can open an Amazon Business account. The account is free, and there’s no spending minimum.  I'm here to tell you that running a business takes up a lot of your time. You have orders to place, expenses to track, and people to manage. Sometimes it feels like there are never enough hours in the day. Basically, All I'm saying, is that we can all use some more hours in a day. That’s where Amazon Business comes in. They are truly a time saver, because they offer smart insights to help you make the most of the limited hours you have in a day. Listen up, Amazon Business Analytics is available with your Amazon Business account. It gives you visibility into your organization’s purchase 
history, Amazon Business Analytics helps you identify opportunities to optimize spend and make better purchasing decisions.  Improve visibility into spend Identify purchasing trends by tracking purchases made by individuals and groups within your organization. Optimize spending that uses reports to identify opportunities for 
optimizing spend such as supplier consolidation, bulk purchasing, and tax-exemptions.  It offers Easy reconciliation and the ability to compare order and payment history, invoices received, and payments made with the help of these reconciliation reports. Access to multiple reports can be valuable and you can choose from any one of the available reports such as orders, shipments, returns, refunds, and reconciliation to view and download the information you need. Now that's freeing up some of your time in your day, because Amazon Business handles the heavy lifting, so you can finally focus on growing your business instead of drowning in admin. Listen up from customized recommendations to real-time spend tracking and delivery options tailored to your schedule, they’ve got your back every step of the way.  Why not spend less time sweating the small stuff and more time crushing your goals—or maybe even sneaking in some well-earned vacation time with your friends or family? The Amazon Business account is free, and there’s no spending minimum.

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

She has over 8 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a dedicated Financial Professional, she is committed to empowering individuals through comprehensive financial education. An expert in delivering personalized financial literacy programs, workshops, and one-on-one consultations, Laura helps clients achieve financial stability and success. She is passionate about assisting individuals in reaching both their short-term and long-term financial goals.  They empower businesses and individuals to succeed by offering strategic financial strategies, expert guidance, and tailored business solutions.

“You need to spend money because that’s the only way to have fun life experiences.” “You need to decide what you want to do in your life when you’re in your 20s because once you hit 50, you need to think about retiring.”

Have you ever been told these phrases? Regardless of the answer, Laura Finney is here to tell you that they aren’t true. She didn’t start her Financial Planning business until she turned 50 years old, and her personal experiences with finances in and out of the realm of generational wealth have given her insights into finances that most financial planners couldn’t tell you. From how to build long-term wealth when you have few starting funds to how to give your child a happy life when the budget is tight to addressing misconceptions about money management, this episode of Money Making Conversations is so chock-full of financial advice that you don’t want to miss a single second. Tune in today! 

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

She comes to the rescue this tax season! With years of experience as a trusted Financial advisor, she's here to set the record straight on business ownership and personal finance. Many entrepreneurs fall victim to common financial myths, but Lynn is breaking them down one by one. From tax misconceptions to smart money management, she's sharing the knowledge you need to WIN. Don't miss this insightful conversation that could change the way you handle your finances forever! #AMI

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

"The Hidden Hand: How Human Decisions Behind Rapid Technology Deployments Are Driving a Mental Health Crisis."

In a world increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics, the promise of a brighter, more efficient future has never seemed closer. Yet, beneath the surface of technological progress lies an unsettling reality: the very systems designed to enhance our lives are also reshaping the essence of what it means to be human—and not always for the better.

The Hidden Hand pulls back the curtain on the unseen forces—corporate priorities, societal values, and governmental policies—that drive technological change, often at the expense of mental health, self-identity, and social connection. With over 65 years of combined experience in mental health, addictions counseling, technology, ministry, and holistic health, authors Dr. Jacqueline Rushin and Patrice Alexander, LPC deliver a deeply personal, thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between innovation and humanity.

Through compelling case studies, statistics, and profound insights, this book exposes:

• The mental health toll of technological displacement and job loss.
• How AI-driven systems distort self-identity and erode genuine human connection.
• The rising epidemic of tech addiction and its impact on individuals and families.
• The ethical dilemmas of a world where efficiency often trumps empathy.
• The red flags warning us of these issues and many more.

But this is not just a story of challenges—it is also a call to action. The Hidden Hand empowers readers with the tools to navigate a digital age, offering practical strategies to protect mental health, preserve self-worth, and champion human-centric solutions. The Hidden Hand will inspire you to ask bold questions: Are we making choices that elevate humanity, or are we allowing profit and productivity to define our future? How can we reclaim the human element in a world increasingly dominated by machines?

This book is not just an exposé—it’s prompts readers to reflect, recalibrate, and act. The Hidden Hand is essential reading for leaders, mental health professionals, technologists, and anyone who cares about safeguarding humanity in the age of AI. The future isn’t shaped by technology, rather by our decisions - the hidden hands.

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