The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Monday, December 29th, 2025. Subject: "Fake Star With Groupie Tendencies"

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

Youngest developer in the U.S. to lead a $300 million community development project in partnership with the City of Savannah.

🏗️ Legacy Savannah Project

• Scope: 65-acre, $300 million transformational community development.
• Focus Areas:
  • Residential Housing: Senior and workforce housing.
  • Innovation Center: 24/7 programming for tech and career development.
  • Indoor Recreation Facility: Community engagement and wellness.
• Mission: Not just building structures, but transforming lives and legacies.

🌊 Big Tide Summit

• Founder: Robert Gould
• Purpose: Career exposure and training for Georgia students.
• Impact: Grew from 20 students to over 7,000 in 3 years.
• Focus Areas: Tech, arts, media, construction, and entrepreneurship.
• Website: bigtide.org (free for schools)

💡 Key Messages & Advice 1. Fear and Identity

• Embrace fear as a signal of purpose.
• “There’s only one you”—your uniqueness is your power.

2. Exposure is Everything

• 60% of success is based on exposure (Forbes).
• Being in the room matters—access changes lives.

3. Workforce Development Trends

• Start early.
• Prioritize exposure and appearance.
• Explore trades (construction, tech, plumbing, etc.).
• Seek mentorship.
• Embrace AI and future technologies.

4. Trade vs. Degree

• Trades are now high-income, high-impact careers.
• College is valuable, but not the only path.
• Ownership and entrepreneurship are key to wealth.

5. Pitching and Communication

• Know your audience and tailor your message.
• Don’t just pitch ideas—pitch dreams.
• Respect yourself and others in every room you enter.

🔁 Vision for the Future

• Expand the Legacy Savannah model nationwide.
• Continue building access and opportunity for underserved communities.
• Use platforms like Big Tide to bridge education and real-world careers.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Germaine Bolds-Leftridge.

💼 Business Overview

• I Know Skincare: A skincare brand created to empower women—especially Black women—by embracing their real age and promoting self-care.
• Mission: To challenge the anti-aging narrative and replace it with a pro-aging, affirming message: “#RealAge.”
• Inspiration: Germaine’s late mother, whose glowing skin and wisdom about self-care sparked the brand’s creation.

💡 Key Insights

• Anti-Aging vs. Pro-Aging: Germaine rejects the term “anti-aging,” advocating instead for embracing the natural aging process as a privilege and a journey.
• Target Market: Primarily Black women over 40, though the products are inclusive and used by a diverse customer base.
• Marketing Strategy: Focused and intentional—Germaine emphasizes the importance of knowing your audience and not trying to market to everyone.
• Cultural Relevance: The brand is rooted in cultural pride, self-affirmation, and economic empowerment, drawing parallels to movements like Black Wall Street.

🧠 Business Wisdom

• “The win happens in the fourth quarter.”
• “If you don’t like what you see, do something about it.”
• “You can’t sell to everyone. Know your audience and serve them well.”

📦 Bonus Highlights

• Dragonfly Symbolism: Represents transformation and resilience—core themes of the brand.
• Clinical Testing: Products are tested specifically on Black women to ensure effectiveness for their unique skincare needs.
• Legacy Building: Germaine’s goal is to create generational wealth and a lasting legacy for her family and community.

#AMI

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Celebrity Chef Jernard Wells.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The episode showcases:

• Chef Jernard Wells’ entrepreneurial journey in the culinary industry.
• His approach to building a brand through food products, media, and publishing.
• Practical cooking tips and recipes from his cookbook Southern Inspired.
• Encouragement for aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs to simplify their process and stay true to their vision.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Brand Building Through Culinary Products

• Chef Jernard started with a seasoning line and expanded into sauces and cookbooks.
• He emphasizes volume-based sales and quality ingredients to grow his brand.

2. Leveraging Media Exposure

• TV appearances (e.g., Food Network, Cleo TV) helped him build visibility.
• He uses media as a platform to drive traffic to his brand, not just for fame.

3. Simplifying Cooking for Home Chefs

• Chef Jernard advocates for —organizing ingredients before cooking—to save time.
• He debunks the myth that holiday meals must take 12 hours to prepare.

4. Cultural Roots of Southern Cuisine

• He shares the African-American origins of macaroni and cheese, tracing it back to Thomas Jefferson’s chef.
• Emphasizes pride and heritage in traditional dishes.

5. Signature Recipes from His Cookbook

Chef Jernard highlights three standout dishes from Southern Inspired:

• Creole Barbecue Shrimp: Jumbo prawns baked in a rich broth of garlic, Worcestershire, butter, and Creole seasoning.
• Whiskey Cranberry Glazed Ribs: St. Louis-style ribs brushed with a glaze made from cranberry juice and whiskey.
• Seafood Mac & Cheese: A decadent blend of lobster, shrimp, crab, and smoked Gouda, topped with breadcrumbs.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• “Cooking is about bringing people into my world.”
• “You can’t win if you don’t understand yourself.”
• “We are refrigerator and pantry cooks… that’s why our kitchens look chaotic.”
• “We romanticize mac and cheese… but it’s all about the cheese.”

#STRAW #BEST #SHMS

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Friday, December 26th, 2025. Subject: "I Can't Do That Often"

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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to inspire listeners—entrepreneurs, small business owners, and individuals—about the importance of health and wellness in achieving personal and professional success. It introduces Jeff Cade’s 360 Health and Wellness Network, which focuses on mindset, diet, and exercise as pillars for a holistic lifestyle.

Key Takeaways

1. Health and Wealth Connection

   • Wealth cannot buy health; longevity depends on lifestyle choices.
   • Self-care is essential for sustaining business success and personal well-being.

2. Jeff Cade’s Background & Motivation

   • Over 15 years in health and wellness, with experience in hospitality and healthcare.
   • Personal tragedy: lost both parents to cancer, which fueled his mission.
   • Author of Battleground Cancer to educate on mental, physical, and spiritual resilience.

3. Core Philosophy

   • “Take food as medicine, not medicine as food.”
   • Three pillars: Mindset, Diet, Exercise—you can’t have one without the others.
   • Advocates plant-based diets, hydration, and mindfulness practices.

4. Actionable Advice

   • Know your body and listen to its signals.
   • Reduce sugar and processed foods; crowd out unhealthy items with colorful plates.
   • Use affirmations: “I am healed, healthy, happy.”
   • Transformation is incremental: start with 30-, 45-, or 90-day goals.
   • Stress management is critical—stress kills and triggers unhealthy habits.

5. Programs & Engagement

   • Offers personalized coaching and programs via JeffK360.com.
   • Focus on accountability partnerships and individualized plans.

Notable Quotes

• On transformation:
  “What you don’t change, you choose.”
• On health and success:
  “Self-care is the new health care.”
• On mindset:
  “I am healed, I am healthy, I am happy.”
• On accountability:
  “If it’s to be, it’s up to me.”
• On purpose:
  “You can’t serve others if you don’t serve yourself first.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight Dr. Will Moreland’s journey from combat veteran to global leadership expert, and to share his insights on executive coaching, building winning cultures, overcoming fear, and turning passion into profit through his Million Dollar Speaker Framework.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Background & Credentials

• Two-time combat military veteran (Bosnia and Iraq).
• Business Hall of Fame inductee.
• Founder of Moreland Training & Associates.
• Holds a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership.
• Based in Phoenix, Arizona.

2. Leadership Philosophy

• Leadership begins with self-leadership.
• Civility—defined as “intentional respect for others”—is key to productivity and profitability.
• “People respected are more productive.”
• Focus on people before profit to build sustainable success.

3. Building Winning Cultures

• Uses the Civility Advantage Framework with six pillars:
  • Clarity: Define how you want your culture to feel.
  • Communication: Reinforce cultural values consistently.
  • Consistency: Embed values into daily operations.
• Offers anonymous assessments to audit company culture and align leadership with employee experience.

4. Executive Coaching & Leadership Development

• Helps leaders transition from task-based roles to people-based leadership.
• Uses his book Leading with Civility and the CHAMPS Framework in a six-month curriculum.
• Emphasizes discipline, emotional intelligence, and people skills.

5. Overcoming Fear

• Fear is often a result of lack of information.
• Encourages leaders to confront fear with clarity and education.
• Example: AI is not a threat, but a tool to enhance productivity.

“You won’t be replaced by AI—you’ll be replaced by someone who embraced AI.”

6. Million Dollar Speaker Framework (PAM Formula)

• Positioning: Define your unique message (e.g., Les Brown’s “You gotta be hungry!”).
• Advantage: Identify your competitive edge.
• Marketing: Deliver consistent messaging to build brand recognition.

7. Living from Your CORE

A personal decision-making framework:

• C – Clarity
• O – Opportunities
• R – Relationships
• E – Experiences

“If it doesn’t align with your CORE, it’s a no.”

8. Legacy & Impact

• Committed to training better humans and promoting the Golden Rule.
• Believes in empowering others through leadership, civility, and education.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Civility is profitable. Incivility costs billions.”
• “Discipline is the bridge from where you are to where you want to be.”
• “Fear is just information. The more you know, the less you fear.”
• “You don’t need a lot of people—you need the right people.”
• “Live from your CORE: Clarity, Opportunities, Relationships, Experiences.”

📌 Final Thoughts

Dr. Will Moreland’s interview is a masterclass in leadership, personal growth, and business strategy. His frameworks and philosophies offer practical tools for entrepreneurs, executives, and aspiring speakers to build impactful careers and cultures.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Wednesday, December 24th, 2025. Subject: "She's In The Middle Stirring Up Mess"

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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To explore Mori Taheripour’s journey as a globally recognized negotiation expert, her personal resilience, and the empowering message behind her book Bring Yourself: How to Harness the Power of Connection to Negotiate Fearlessly. The interview also highlights her insights on authenticity, self-worth, and redefining negotiation as a daily life skill.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Professional Background

• Faculty member at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
• Holds degrees from Barnard College, Wharton, and a Diversity & Inclusion certificate from Cornell.
• Clients include Fortune 100 companies, major sports leagues, nonprofits, and government agencies.

2. Redefining Negotiation

• Negotiation is not just about conflict or business deals—it’s a daily life skill.
• We negotiate constantly: with ourselves, family, coworkers, and even in mundane decisions.
• The key to successful negotiation is knowing your value and bringing your authentic self.

3. Book: Bring Yourself

• Written to dispel myths about negotiation being aggressive or confrontational.
• Encourages readers to lead with empathy, curiosity, and authenticity.
• Highlights that anyone can be a good negotiator by honoring their values and self-worth.

4. Personal Resilience

• Mori shares her experience living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which she kept private for years.
• She discusses how prioritizing health and self-care became essential.
• Her openness about MS in her book was cathartic and empowering, showing that chronic illness doesn’t define or limit success.

5. Diversity & Inclusion

• Mori’s early career focused on public health in underserved communities.
• Her work in diversity and inclusion stems from a desire to create equitable access, especially in healthcare.
• She emphasizes that inclusion is about recognizing and respecting individual value and lived experiences.

6. Emotional Intelligence in Teaching

• Mori’s classroom is a safe space where students are encouraged to be vulnerable.
• She values kindness, respect, and emotional connection as essential tools for learning and leadership.
• Her teaching style blends academic rigor with empathy and real-world application.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “We negotiate with ourselves all the time.”
• “You have to honor yourself—whatever that is.”
• “If you don’t understand your worth, you will never be a good negotiator.”
• “Bring Yourself is about showing up authentically, not what society expects you to be.”
• “Kindness and respect will get you further than anything else.”
• “Sometimes enough is perfect.”

#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 Lee, Sr.   

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

Highlight Justin Lee’s journey from a young real estate agent to a multifaceted entrepreneur.
Inspire listeners—especially from underserved communities—to pursue financial literacy, real estate ownership, and entrepreneurship.
Share actionable insights on building wealth through real estate, construction, and strategic partnerships.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Overcoming Age Barriers in Real Estate

Justin entered real estate at 24 and embraced being the youngest in the room.
He used his youth and tech-savviness (e.g., TikTok, Instagram) to bring value to veteran professionals.

“I started to network more in rooms that had more experienced people… let me break some of this new millennial technology into your business.”

2. Education and Credentials

In three years, Justin became a licensed broker and earned a doctorate.
He emphasizes continuous learning and certifications as keys to growth.

“I also finished my doctorate degree, so I'm now Doctor Justin Lee.”

3. Social Media as a Business Tool

He leveraged platforms like TikTok (90K followers) to market real estate and educate clients.
He stresses that online presence must reflect professionalism.

“Some people look better online than in person for a reason… make your business look the same way online.”

4. Addressing Homeownership Gaps in Communities of Color

Justin discusses systemic barriers like lack of financial literacy and credit education.
He offers free resources like Motivational Mondays and a podcast to educate aspiring homeowners.

“Most of the time, our parents… would say, ‘Don’t use no credit card.’ Great advice, but kind of bad advice at the same time.”

5. Real Estate Syndication & Group Investing

He formed a private investment fund with fraternity brothers and family to buy properties collectively.
Focused on affordable markets like New Orleans East for high ROI.

“Let’s develop a fund… Now we own over 150 apartment complexes and units.”

6. Amazon DSP Partnership

Justin owns an Amazon Delivery Service Partner business with 42 trucks and 200+ employees.
He recommends minorities apply for the program, which offers a \$10K grant.

“They want someone who is willing to commit… not someone who has all this business experience.”

7. Construction Ventures

Inspired by his mother’s post-Katrina property acquisitions, Justin entered construction.
He now leads major commercial projects including schools, restaurants, and celebrity studios.

“We ended up building out a restaurant… 10,000 square foot… I love this. This is my passion.”

8. Family Legacy & Early Exposure

Raised in New Orleans by a single mother and grandparents, Justin learned property management as a child.
His mother’s real estate investments post-Katrina laid the foundation for his career.

“I knew how to write a lease at ten… file eviction at 12… manage property before high school.”

🗣️ Notable Quotes

“If you don’t plan, you plan to fail.”
“Let’s teach you to do it right. Let’s do it together.”
“Knowledge was power… the one thing nobody can take.”
“You learn a skill, you’ll eat forever.”

#BEST #STRAW #SHMS

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