The Steve Harvey Morning Show

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, October 27th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open - Cast Intros | Run That Prank Back - "Bring My Breasts Back" | Ask The CLO | Trending & Entertainment News | Early Voting | Stephen A Smith & DL Hughley | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Auntie Debra K's Hair" | Strawberry Letter - The Affair Is Bad For Business" Pt. 1-2 | Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Spookiest Cities | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

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

Entrepreneurial journey, the inspiration behind Medase Cocktails, and the realities of launching, funding, and scaling a premium nonalcoholic spirits brand in a highly competitive market.

Purpose of the Conversation

The purpose of the episode is to:

• Educate aspiring entrepreneurs on how to build a differentiated consumer brand
• Demonstrate the importance of storytelling, market clarity, and operational discipline
• Highlight the growth of the nonalcoholic / zero‑proof beverage movement
• Inspire founders—especially founders of color—to own their niche, seek capital strategically, and scale intentionally. 

Key Takeaways 1. Business Built from Personal Need and Purpose

Medase Cocktails was co‑founded by Monica and her lifelong friend during her friend’s battle with breast cancer, a time when alcohol was no longer an option—but celebration still mattered.

• The brand was created to allow people to celebrate authentically without alcohol
• It carries emotional depth rooted in friendship, gratitude, and loss
• Monica continues the mission after her co‑founder passed away in 2024

Lesson: Purpose-driven businesses create deeper emotional connection and long-term brand equity.

2. Differentiation Is Everything

Monica deliberately rejected the “sparkling water with flavor” model common in nonalcoholic drinks.

Her differentiators include:

• Authentic cocktail taste (Old Fashioned, Margarita, Moscow Mule)
• Organic juices, not artificial flavors
• Bold packaging that stands out on shelves
• Drinks designed to smell, taste, and feel like real cocktails

Lesson: Competing on authenticity—not cost—is how you carve out market share in crowded spaces.

3. Brand Names and Stories Matter

The name “Medase” means “thank you” and reflects gratitude, friendship, and emotional support.

Monica emphasizes:

• Every flavor name, color, and product decision has a story
• A strong brand narrative creates curiosity, loyalty, and investor interest

Lesson: People invest in brands they feel—emotionally, not just intellectually.

4. Venture Capital Is Not Just About Numbers

While financials matter, Monica stresses that VCs also invest in founders and stories.

What helped her secure venture capital:

• A compelling personal story
• Relevant founder skill sets (M&A, law, operations)
• Clear understanding of the market opportunity

Lesson: Early-stage funding often depends on who you are and why you’re building, not just revenue.

5. Research, Planning, and Discipline Before Launch

Unlike many food startups, Medase did not begin in a kitchen.

They:

• Conducted a feasibility study
• Built a formal business plan
• Worked with a Black female food scientist
• Set strict personal funding limits before seeking capital

Lesson: Preparation reduces risk and builds long-term sustainability.

6. Scaling Requires Operational Maturity

As sales increased—especially on Amazon—Monica emphasized the need to move from “hustle mode” to operational excellence.

Key scaling principles:

• Understand unit economics
• Track ROI for events and activations
• Adjust pricing as volume increases
• Build strategy across marketing, operations, and distribution

Lesson: Hustle starts the business; operations grow it.

7. Niche First, Expansion Later

Medase does not try to be “everything to everyone.”

Core customers include:

• People seeking a break from alcohol
• Health-conscious consumers
• Black men looking for alcohol replacements
• Consumers wanting cocktail taste without hangovers

Lesson: Strong niches create loyal advocates who fuel organic growth.

8. Smart Distribution Strategy

Rather than rushing into retail, Monica prioritized direct-to-consumer channels:

• Amazon (top-performing channel)
• Brand website
• TikTok Shop

Only after 6–7 months of traction did retail expansion become viable.

Lesson: Control your margins and demand before entering expensive retail environments.

Memorable Quotes

“I wanted an authentic cocktail without compromise.”

“Everything we do has a story behind it.”

“Sometimes it’s not about the financials—it’s about the founder and the story.”

“Don’t be everything to everybody. Find your market and stick with your market.”

“Hustle starts the business, but operations give you scale.”

“If it tastes too much like alcohol and you gave me a one-star review—thank you. That means I did my job.”

Overall Message

This episode is a real-world entrepreneurial blueprint showing how clarity of vision, emotional authenticity, disciplined planning, and niche focus can turn a personal idea into a scalable national brand.

Monica Cornitcher exemplifies the modern founder:
visionary, data-aware, emotionally intelligent, and unapologetically authentic.

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Eddy Benoit Jr. 

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

This interview has three primary objectives:

1. Highlight Eddy Benoit Jr.’s work in real estate development
   • Especially affordable housing, mixed-use developments, and senior living.
2. Explain how mission-driven real estate can transform communities
   • Focus on underserved areas and mixed-income solutions.
3. Provide entrepreneurial and leadership insights
   • Covering vision, discipline, team-building, and scaling a business.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Mission-Driven Development Is the Core of Success

• The Benoit Group focuses on affordable and mixed-income housing, especially for underserved populations.
• Their strategy is rooted in a clear “why” that hasn’t changed since founding.

✅ Insight:

• Long-term success comes from staying aligned with a clear mission.

“Our litmus test has been our why… that’s what keeps us from being distracted.” [

2. There Is a Massive Gap in Affordable Senior Housing

• Target population:
  • Ages 55–85
  • Low to moderate income
• This group often:
  • Doesn’t qualify for subsidies
  • Can’t afford market-rate housing

✅ Insight:

• Huge opportunity exists in underserved housing markets.

“The demand is extremely high… not many people are really building affordably priced housing.” 

3. Understanding “Affordable Housing” Is More Complex Than It Sounds

• Two categories:
  • Capital A Affordable: Low-income (≤60% of area median income)
  • Small a affordable: Moderate-income (80%–140%)
• Projects must balance income ranges to remain financially viable.

✅ Insight:

• Real estate success requires technical, financial, and regulatory understanding.

4. Public-Private Partnerships Drive Large Developments

• Major projects come through:
  • Competitive RFP/RFQ processes
  • Partnerships with municipalities
• Developments often include:
  • Housing
  • Retail
  • Office/hospitality components

✅ Insight:

• Scale is achieved through collaboration with government entities.

5. Great Leadership Requires Evolution and Self-Awareness

• Leadership style evolved over time:
  • From authority-based to transparency-based
• Key principle:
  • Honesty and communication build strong teams

✅ Insight:

• Effective leadership is adaptive, transparent, and people-centered.

“Transparency and honesty… is the best form of communication.” 

6. Hire People Who Challenge You

• Entrepreneurs often make the mistake of hiring people just like themselves.
• Strong teams include:
  • Different perspectives
  • Greater expertise

✅ Insight:

• Growth requires diverse thinking and constructive challenge.

“You want people who think different… and can challenge your thought process.” 

7. Be Realistic and Honest in Business Planning

• Many entrepreneurs:
  • Set unrealistic revenue expectations
  • Build budgets based on wishful thinking

✅ Insight:

• Success requires honest evaluation and disciplined planning.

“They’re not honest with themselves… the path to making that revenue isn’t achievable.” 

8. Real Estate Can Transform Entire Communities

• Benoit Group intentionally invests in:
  • Overlooked or underserved neighborhoods
• Their developments act as catalysts:
  • Attracting other investors
  • Sparking broader economic growth

✅ Insight:

• Strategic investment can redefine entire communities.

“We go in areas that have been overlooked… and act as a catalyst.” 

9. True Impact Goes Beyond Buildings

• Success is not just physical development:
  • It’s about changing mindset and confidence in communities

✅ Insight:

• Transformation requires both infrastructure and psychological uplift.

“You’ve got to change the mindset… before you can get transformation.” 

10. Recognition Is Meaningful but Not the Motivation

• Benoit didn’t expect the award and initially thought it was for someone else.
• He emphasizes:
  • Mission over recognition
  • Team contribution

✅ Insight:

• Awards are a byproduct of consistent, purpose-driven work.

“We don’t do it for the awards… but the recognition does feel great.” 

11. Future Focus: Growth + Mentorship

• Expansion goals:
  • Broader geographic footprint (10+ states)
• Strategic priority:
  • Mentoring smaller developers to scale

✅ Insight:

• True leadership includes creating opportunities for others to grow.

💬 Notable Quotes On mission

“Our litmus test has been our why.” 

On market demand

“The demand is extremely high… especially for the baby boomers.” 

On leadership

“Transparency and honesty… is the best form of communication.” 

On team building

“You want people who think different… and can challenge you.” 

On business planning

“They’re not honest with themselves.” 

On community impact

“We act as a catalyst… attract others to invest.”

On transformation

“You’ve got to change the mindset.” 

🧾 Bottom Line

This interview is a powerful example of mission-driven entrepreneurship in real estate.

Eddy Benoit Jr.’s core message:

• Build businesses around purpose and real need
• Focus on underserved markets for meaningful impact
• Grow through discipline, partnerships, and strong teams
• Create success that extends beyond profit into community transformation

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

#BEST #SHMS #STRAW

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

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

Dr. Will Moreland shares how leadership, discipline, and human-centered culture drive business success. Drawing from military experience and executive coaching, he emphasizes that people—not just profits—are the foundation of sustainable growth.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Teach leadership principles for entrepreneurs and executives
• Show how culture, civility, and discipline impact profitability
• Help listeners understand how to build strong teams and organizations
• Provide frameworks for decision-making, growth, and personal development
• Address fear, adaptability (AI), and leadership evolution

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. 🧠 Leadership Starts with Self-Leadership

• You must learn to lead yourself before leading others

“You can’t lead anybody else until you learn how to lead yourself.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

• Self-awareness and discipline are foundational leadership traits

2. 🤝 Civility Drives Profitability

• Respectful treatment of employees increases productivity and results

“People that are respected are more productive… and more productive means more profitable.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

• Workplace culture directly impacts financial outcomes

3. 👥 People Over Profits (Long-Term Strategy)

• Businesses often prioritize profit before people—the wrong approach
• Success requires:
  • Hiring the right team
  • Putting people in the right roles

“Before we focus on profit, we got to focus on the people.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

4. 🔍 Entrepreneurs Must Know Their “Genius Zone”

• Leaders should focus only on their highest-value skills
• Delegate everything else to scale effectively

“What does your company pay you for?” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

• Growth happens when founders stop doing everything

5. ⚠️ Hiring Mistakes Hurt Growth

• Many entrepreneurs “mishire” by hiring too many or wrong people
• You need focused, aligned team members—not just more staff

6. 🏢 Culture Must Be Intentional and Consistent

Dr. Moreland’s culture framework includes:

• Clarity (define culture)
• Communication (reinforce expectations)
• Consistency (apply standards daily)

“You have to be clear… communicate… and be consistent.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

7. 📊 Data Over Assumptions in Leadership

• Leaders often think culture is strong—but employees feel differently
• Use anonymous assessments to uncover truth

8. 😨 Fear Is a Knowledge Problem

• Fear stems from lack of information
• Confidence grows with understanding

“Fear is just information… people are afraid of the unknown.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

9. 🤖 AI Should Be Embraced, Not Feared

• AI enhances productivity—it doesn’t replace people

“You’re not going to get replaced by AI… you’re going to get replaced by a person who has embraced AI.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

• Best use: combine AI efficiency with human creativity

10. 🧭 Decision-Making Framework (CORE)

Dr. Moreland’s CORE framework for evaluating opportunities:

• Clarity (does it align with your goals?)
• Opportunities (is it the right opportunity?)
• Relationships (will it strengthen or hurt relationships?)
• Experiences (how will it impact your life?)

11. 🎯 Discipline Is the Bridge to Success

• Daily habits and consistency create long-term success

“Discipline is the bridge… what you do every single day gets you to your goal.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

12. 🎤 Personal Brand = Positioning + Advantage + Marketing

His**“Million-Dollar Speaker” framework (PAM):**

• Positioning – How you’re known
• Advantage – What makes you unique
• Marketing – Consistent messaging

🔥 Notable Quotes On Leadership

• “You can’t lead anybody else until you learn how to lead yourself.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

On Culture & Profit

• “Civility is profitable.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

On Hiring & Teams

• “You don’t need a lot of people—you need dedicated people.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

On Focus

• “What does your company pay you for?” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

On Fear

• “Fear is just information.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

On AI

• “You’re not going to get replaced by AI…” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

On Discipline

• “Discipline is the bridge.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

On Culture

• “You have to be clear… communicate… and be consistent.” [Dr. Will M...green) (2) | Txt]

✅ Bottom Line

This interview reframes success as a leadership and discipline problem—not just a business or financial problem.

Dr. Will Moreland’s core message:

• Lead yourself before leading others
• Build people-first cultures
• Focus on your strengths and delegate the rest
• Replace fear with knowledge
• Use tools like AI to enhance—not replace—your value
• Operate with clarity, discipline, and alignment

👉 Ultimate takeaway:
Strong leadership + disciplined execution + people-centered culture = sustainable success and profitability.

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

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

Summary of the Interview

On Money Making Conversations Masterclass, Rushion McDonald interviews Dawnn Lewis—iconic actress, singer, songwriter, voice actress, philanthropist, and founder of the A New Day Foundation. The conversation traces her extraordinary career, starting from her childhood as a singer, dancer, and actor, through her rise to fame on A Different World, her decades-long voiceover career (including The Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek: Lower Decks), and her ongoing philanthropic work supporting youth nationwide.

Dawnn discusses the challenges of being a multi-talented artist in an industry eager to box people into one lane, how A Different World both elevated and pigeonholed her, and how animation opened a vast new chapter for her that has lasted more than 30 years. She shares her philosophy on longevity, discipline, relationships, and the responsibility to give back. The interview also highlights her foundation’s programs supporting students, HBCUs, and underserved communities.

Purpose of the Interview

1. Celebrate Dawnn Lewis’s multi-decade, multi-disciplinary career

The interview showcases the depth of her talent—from singing and songwriting to acting, animation, and Broadway.

2. Highlight representation and legacy

Dawnn discusses the cultural impact of A Different World and her groundbreaking role as a Black female captain in Star Trek: Lower Decks.

3. Inspire audiences with her journey from Bed-Stuy to global success

Her story emphasizes perseverance, big dreaming, and ignoring limitations others impose.

4. Promote the A New Day Foundation

Dawnn details programs empowering youth, HBCU students, and underserved communities.

5. Provide insight into surviving and thriving in entertainment

She shares the importance of relationships, versatility, and constant self-improvement.

Key Takeaways

1. She was a “triple threat” long before Hollywood discovered her

Singing, dancing, and acting from age 7–11, she began performing professionally at 10 and even launched her own musical theatre degree program at the University of Miami.

2. A Different World brought fame but also typecasting

While it launched her into global visibility, it also led people to underestimate her songwriting, music, and voiceover abilities.

3. Her voice acting career spans more than 30 years

She has voiced characters on The Simpsons, Futurama, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Craig of the Creek, Fairly OddParents, Mortal Kombat, and many more.
Her entry into animation came from imitating her young niece for a role.

4. Representation matters deeply to her

Seeing Nichelle Nichols on Star Trek inspired her as a child; today, Dawnn is one of the very few Black captains in the Star Trek universe.

5. The industry rewards resilience and relationships

Dawnn emphasizes that her longevity comes from consistently doing excellent work and nurturing her professional network.

6. She founded the A New Day Foundation to uplift youth

Her programs serve teens, HBCU students, and communities nationwide, providing mentorship, laptops, scholarships, and life skills training.

7. Dawnn’s journey is one of intentional growth and constant reinvention

She never stopped expanding—into Broadway, television, songwriting, animation, philanthropy, and leadership.

Notable Quotes

(All quotes from the uploaded transcript.)

On talent and early training

• “I was singing, dancing at seven, acting at eleven… doing all three professionally since I was about ten years old.”
• “I thought I was going to be a recording artist… I had my own single out. I was charting on Billboard.”

On being boxed in

• “I didn’t start getting pigeonholed until I did A Different World… now you’re just an actress.”

On entering animation

• “There weren’t very many people of color in the animation world… the director said, ‘Who are you? How come I never met you before?’”
• “I get to voice characters they wouldn’t hire me visually to play.”

On representation and Star Trek

• “In the legacy of Star Trek, it’s me and Avery Brooks as the Black captains.”
• “Seeing Nichelle Nichols made me hopeful… she was my hero.”

On career longevity

• “You quiet the naysayers by just showing up and doing the work.”
• “God keeps opening doors and giving me what I need to walk through them successfully.”

On giving back

• “I am my best investment.” (also used in her foundation’s mission)
• “Where you were yesterday is not where you have to end up today.”

@#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

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

HBCU access, scholarships, STEM pipeline, purpose-driven leadership

Overall Summary

Ashley Christopher shares the origin, growth, and impact of the HBCU Week Foundation, which she founded in 2017 to increase enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), remove financial barriers, and create direct pathways from high school to college and corporate America. What began as a local Wilmington, Delaware initiative evolved into a national movement that has facilitated over 10,000 on-the-spot HBCU acceptances and nearly $100 million in scholarships, including a landmark $40 million STEM scholarship partnership.

The conversation blends entrepreneurship, education equity, resilience, faith, and purpose, highlighting how lived experience and authentic mission can scale social impact.

Purpose of the Interview

1. To spotlight the HBCU Week Foundation and its measurable outcomes (acceptances, scholarships, STEM investment).
2. To educate families and students about on-the-spot college acceptance and scholarship opportunities.
3. To inspire purpose-driven leadership, particularly among Black entrepreneurs and community leaders.
4. To demonstrate how local solutions can scale nationally when rooted in authenticity and impact.
5. To share a personal story of resilience, including surviving a stroke at age 29 and redefining purpose.

Key Takeaways 1. Access Changes Outcomes

• HBCU Week’s on-the-spot acceptance model allows eligible students to receive immediate college decisions and scholarship offers at a live college fair.
• This removes prolonged uncertainty and barriers that often discourage first-generation and underserved students.

Students bring their transcript, SAT/ACT scores, meet with an HBCU counselor, and can be accepted immediately.

2. HBCUs Are a Pipeline to Opportunity

• Ashley emphasizes that HBCUs are not just cultural institutions, but talent pipelines into corporate America, particularly for STEM fields.
• Enrollment growth and scholarship funding are as critical as brand awareness.

3. The Power of Strategic Partnerships

• A relationship that began with seven $40,000 STEM scholarships grew into a $40 million partnership with the American Chemistry Council.
• The goal: addressing a projected STEM workforce deficit while increasing diversity in the field.

The partnership now supports 1,000 students committed to STEM majors at HBCUs, with nearly 600 awards already distributed.

4. Purpose Can Be Born From Crisis

• Ashley shares her experience of having a stroke at age 29, caused by birth control use, which required her to relearn how to write and regain physical mobility.
• The experience intensified her sense of urgency, discipline, and purpose.

Surviving the stroke shifted her mindset from ambition to intentional impact.

5. Authentic Passion Fuels Scalable Impact

• Ashley never intended HBCU Week to become national—it was designed to serve students in her hometown.
• Growth occurred organically because the mission was authentic, focused, and student-centered.

“When you love what you do and have a real passion behind the impact, it catches on.”

Notable Quotes

On Mission & Growth

• “The goal was to take care of the students in my hometown… I had no idea it would become national.”

On On-the-Spot Acceptance

• “If you have the requisite GPA and SAT or ACT score, you can be admitted right there.”

On HBCUs & STEM

• “If everybody around the table looks the same, we’re in trouble.”

On Faith & Opportunity

• “I can’t take credit for it… but for my relationship with God, this wouldn’t be a thing.”

On Purpose After Adversity

• “It created a different sense of drive and purpose in me.”

On Impact

• “If I can’t help tier-one students, who can?”

Conclusion

The interview positions Ashley Christopher as a systems builder, not just a nonprofit founder. Her work demonstrates how education access, strategic partnerships, and lived experience can intersect to change thousands of lives. The conversation reinforces that scalable impact often starts with a local problem, clear values, and relentless execution.

#BEST

 #STRAW

 #SHMS

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviews Bruce Marks.

CEO of NACA – America's Best Mortgage Program. The incredible NACA mortgage allows NACA Members to purchase their homes with the following:

• Below is a structured summary of the Bruce Marks interview with Rushion McDonald on Money Making Conversations Masterclass, based entirely on the interview transcript you provided. All points and quotes are drawn from that source.

  Interview Summary

  Bruce Marks, founder and CEO of NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America), joins Rushion McDonald to discuss his four-decade mission to make affordable homeownership accessible to working families, particularly those historically excluded from the housing market. Marks explains how NACA fights predatory lending while simultaneously offering what he calls “the best mortgage in America”—characterized by no down payment, no closing costs, no fees, low fixed interest rates, and no reliance on credit scores.

  The conversation highlights NACA’s innovative programs, including converting Section 8 housing vouchers into mortgage payments, the $1 Homeownership Program for vacant properties, and large-scale, community-based homebuying events that process thousands of families in days rather than months. Marks frames homeownership as a tool for wealth-building, community stability, crime reduction, and racial equity.

  Purpose of the Interview

  The purpose of the interview is threefold:

  1. Educate listeners about alternative paths to homeownership that defy traditional mortgage industry norms.
  2. Challenge myths about credit scores, Section 8 recipients, and affordability.
  3. Promote NACA’s model as a scalable, nationwide solution to the housing affordability crisis and racial wealth gap.
  Key Takeaways 1. NACA’s Mortgage Model Is Radically Different
  • No down payment
  • No closing costs or fees
  • Below-market, fixed interest rates
  • Credit scores are not used; lending is based on payment history and financial behavior.
  2. Predatory Lending Targets Vulnerable Communities

  Marks defines predatory lending as mortgages “structured to fail”, citing the 2008 housing crisis as a direct result of unaffordable loan structures that later doubled or tripled payments.

  3. Section 8 as a Pathway to Ownership and Wealth

  NACA enables families to apply their Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers toward mortgage payments, allowing renters to build equity instead of enriching landlords. Over a 20‑year term, this can result in $200,000–$300,000 in personal wealth.

  4. The $1 Homeownership Program Is a Game Changer

  Cities sell vacant homes or lots to buyers for $1, while NACA finances renovation or new modular construction—cutting costs by eliminating developers and enabling homes to be built for roughly $120,000 total.

  5. Scale and Impact Matter
  • NACA operates in all 50 states
  • Newark event drew 25,000+ people over five days
  • Over 75,000 homeowners served
  • Foreclosure rate: 0.00012.
  Notable Quotes from Bruce Marks

  “We have the best mortgage in the country.”.

  “Predatory lending is a mortgage that is structured to fail.”.

  “What you’re doing is the wealth is now going to the person with a Section 8, not to the landlord.”.

  “We do character-based lending, never looking at someone’s credit score.”.

  “Homeownership is a safety issue, it’s an anti-crime issue.”

  Bottom Line

  The interview positions Bruce Marks and NACA as disruptors of the traditional mortgage industry, proving that affordability, scale, and advocacy can coexist. The message is clear: homeownership should be a right earned through responsibility and support—not a privilege restricted by wealth, credit scores, or predatory systems..

  #SHMS #BEST #STRAW 

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

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Minority Business

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Startup Advice

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Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

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Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

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Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

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Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

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Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

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

President of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC). Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Breaking Barriers in Construction

• Monique Strong is a trailblazer in a traditionally male-dominated and white-dominated industry.
• She leads NABWIC’s Atlanta chapter, advocating for leadership, equity, and professional development for Black women in construction.

2. What “Construction” Really Means

• Construction isn’t just hard hats and manual labor—it includes:
  • General contracting
  • Project management
  • Estimating
  • Safety coordination
  • Architecture and engineering
  • Business ownership and development

3. Legacy and Inspiration

• Monique’s passion for construction was inspired by her grandfathers and her grandmother, who helped build the home she grew up in.
• Her journey includes a degree in engineering from Clark Atlanta University and further training in construction management.

4. Challenges and Triumphs

• Faced skepticism from family and industry peers.
• Overcame stereotypes and isolation as a young Black woman in construction.
• Emphasizes the importance of knowing who you are and embracing your identity as a woman in the field.

5. The Power of Mentorship and Community

• NABWIC provides a supportive network for women at all stages of their construction careers.
• Weekly calls, mentorship, and shared resources help members grow and succeed.

6. Why Diversity in Construction Matters

• Diversity reflects the makeup of the country and brings innovation and detail-oriented excellence to the field.
• Inclusion in leadership and contracting opportunities is essential for equity and community development.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You don’t have to be hard. You just have to be hungry.”
• “We are the unicorns people are looking for.”
• “I like to take something that’s nothing and make it something.”

🎯 Advice for Women in Construction

• Get involved with a community like NABWIC that supports your growth.
• Seek mentorship from women at all stages—beginning, middle, and end of their careers.
• Embrace your uniqueness and use it to lead and innovate.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kevin Cohee.
Title: Owner, Chairman & CEO of OneUnited Bank
Host: Rushion McDonald
Podcast: Money Making Conversations Masterclass

Kevin Cohee discusses the mission, history, and future of OneUnited Bank, the largest Black‑owned bank and the first Black‑owned internet bank in the U.S. The conversation connects Black economic history, financial literacy, technology (AI), and wealth-building, positioning OneUnited Bank as a modern solution to long‑standing financial exclusion in Black and underserved communities.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview is designed to:

1. Educate listeners on why Black-owned banks matter historically and economically.
2. Explain how technology has transformed banking, making location irrelevant.
3. Address financial exclusion, particularly reliance on check-cashing services.
4. Promote financial literacy as the foundation of wealth creation.
5. Position OneUnited Bank as a practical, accessible tool for individuals, entrepreneurs, and communities to build equity.

Key Themes & Takeaways 1. A Mission Rooted in Black History

• Kevin Cohee frames OneUnited Bank as part of a long historical vision, not a modern trend.
• Leaders such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. all advocated for a national Black-owned bank.
• Cohee’s own family legacy ties back to Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma, including land ownership stemming from negotiated “40 acres and a mule” outcomes.

Takeaway: Economic independence has always been central to Black progress.

2. From Brick-and-Mortar to Digital Banking

• OneUnited originally grew by acquiring small Black-owned banks nationwide.
• The bank pivoted early toward technology-driven banking, recognizing that:
  • Customers expect 24/7 access
  • Physical branches are no longer required
  • Digital reach enables national—and global—impact

Key insight: Technology allowed OneUnited to become a national Black bank without national branches.

3. Financial Technology Built for Real-Life Problems

Kevin Cohee emphasizes that OneUnited designs products around how people actually live, not just traditional banking norms.

Examples include:

• Second-chance checking accounts
• Emergency small-dollar loans
• Alternative credit criteria
• Nationwide surcharge-free ATM access
• AI-powered tools that help users understand:
  • Cash flow
  • Assets vs. liabilities
  • Net worth (or debt)
  • Financial decision-making in real time

Takeaway: Banking should help people function—not punish them for past mistakes.

4. Financial Literacy Is the Real Wealth Gap

• Cohee states that 90% of Americans are financially illiterate, largely because:
  • Financial literacy is not taught in K–12 education
• He compares this to not teaching reading—and then blaming people for illiteracy.
• OneUnited uses AI and data aggregation to help customers make expert-level decisions without being experts.

Key message: Financial literacy, not income alone, determines long-term wealth.

5. Ending Dependence on Check-Cashing Services

• Kevin sharply criticizes high-fee check-cashing businesses that dominate underserved neighborhoods.
• OneUnited offers digital check deposits, debit cards, and ATM access—removing the need for physical branches.
• Anyone, anywhere in the U.S., can bank with OneUnited via oneunited.com.

Takeaway: Lack of access is no longer an excuse—awareness is the missing link.

6. Technology as the New “40 Acres”

• Kevin draws a powerful parallel:
  • Land ownership was once the primary source of wealth.
  • Technology and financial literacy are today’s equivalents.
• Entrepreneurs no longer need to manufacture products—branding, distribution, and digital reach are the new leverage.

Key insight: Technology levels the playing field—if people understand how to use it.

7. Mandatory Financial Literacy as a Policy Solution

• Kevin advocates for required financial literacy courses in all U.S. schools.
• He cites research showing:
  • One required high-school financial literacy course can generate $100,000+ in lifetime net worth per student.
• He frames this as a matter of equity, not preference.

Takeaway: Systemic problems require systemic solutions.

Notable Quotes

“The concept of a national Black-owned bank goes all the way back to slavery.”

“We’re not behind in technology—we are the party.”

“Ninety percent of Americans are not financially literate.”

“You don’t have to go to check cashers and get ripped off.”

“Technology is the new 40 acres.”

“Financial literacy alone can generate over $100,000 in net worth per person.”

“There has never been a better time to build a business than right now.”

Overall Impact

This interview is both a financial masterclass and a historical lesson. Kevin Cohee reframes banking as a tool of empowerment, not just transactions, and positions OneUnited Bank as:

• A modern solution to historic exclusion
• A technology-first institution built for underserved communities
• A catalyst for financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation

Final message: Access + education + technology can finally close the racial wealth gap—if people choose to engage.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Carl Jones and Love Jones, co-founders of the Black-owned animation studio Martian Blueberry, discuss their journey in animation, entrepreneurship, storytelling, talent development, and their mission to create opportunities for underrepresented voices in entertainment. The conversation explores their professional accomplishments, creative philosophy, and commitment to building a more inclusive animation industry.

Purpose of the Interview

The purpose of the interview was to showcase how Carl Jones and Love Jones have built a successful animation company while using their platform to create culturally authentic stories and expand opportunities for diverse creators in the entertainment industry. The discussion also highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, creativity, mentorship, and representation.

Key Takeaways Building a Vision Through Partnership

• The couple combined their individual talents in storytelling, production, casting, business development, and entrepreneurship to launch Martian Blueberry.
• Their shared values and long-term vision became the foundation of both their business and personal relationship.

Creating Authentic Stories Matters

• Carl Jones emphasized that regardless of industry changes, successful content begins with authentic characters and meaningful stories that reflect real experiences.
• He believes storytelling should address culture, politics, and social issues through a truthful lens.

Representation Creates Opportunity

• Love Jones discussed the importance of increasing opportunities for women and people of color both in front of and behind the camera.
• Their company intentionally seeks diverse talent while maintaining high professional standards.

Social Media Is the New Talent Pipeline

• Emerging actors, voice performers, and creators should actively showcase their talents online.
• Social media has become one of the most effective ways for casting professionals to discover new talent.

Creativity Will Always Outperform AI

• Both guests emphasized that originality, personality, and unexpected creative choices are what make performers memorable.
• While AI can replicate patterns, it cannot recreate the unique human experiences that drive authentic storytelling.

Opening Doors for the Next Generation

• The founders are committed to identifying, mentoring, and creating opportunities for aspiring writers, voice actors, animators, and creators.
• They view community building and talent development as a responsibility that comes with success.

Navigating an Evolving Entertainment Industry

• The guests acknowledged major changes in Hollywood, including shorter seasons, fewer episodes, and the impact of streaming platforms.
• Despite these shifts, they believe strong storytelling remains the key to lasting success.

Memorable Quotes

“The format is going to always change, but if you're not telling stories with really good characters, it just won't last.” – Carl Jones

“Don't be afraid to be cringey. Don't always try to be cool. Take some risks.” – Love Jones

“AI can mimic, but it doesn't know how to create.” – Love Jones

“You want to stand out. You want to be memorable.” – Carl Jones

“The biggest responsibility we feel is opening doors for people.” – Love Jones

“Story can inspire people to have more empathy.” – Carl Jones

Conclusion

The interview highlights how Carl Jones and Love Jones have become influential leaders in animation by combining creative excellence with a commitment to representation and mentorship. Their success demonstrates that authentic storytelling, entrepreneurial vision, and creating pathways for others can drive both cultural impact and business growth. Through Martian Blueberry, they continue to shape the future of animation while helping the next generation of diverse creators find their place in the industry.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success.

Business Podcast

Entrepreneurship

Small Business

Business Growth

Financial Literacy

Wealth Building

Black Entrepreneurs

Minority Business

Leadership

Executive Leadership

Business Funding

Marketing Strategies

Personal Development

Startup Advice

Sales Training

CEO Interviews

Founder Stories

Professional Development

Economic Empowerment

Business Success

Networking

Brand Building

Innovation

How to start a business

Small business funding

Entrepreneur success stories

Business leadership podcast

Wealth building strategies

Black entrepreneur podcast

Minority business development

Marketing for small businesses

Business growth strategies

Startup funding opportunities

Executive leadership training

Financial literacy education

Success mindset podcast

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.