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

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Inspire creatives and entrepreneurs by sharing Trey Haley’s journey in the entertainment industry.
• Highlight the importance of persistence, self-belief, and strategic networking.
• Promote Haley’s current work, especially the BET+ series The Family Business.
• Educate listeners on the realities of Hollywood and the long-term mindset needed for success.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Origin Story & Early Influences

• Trey Haley grew up in Dallas-Fort Worth, with a mother in corporate sales and a father who was a criminal defense attorney.
• His passion for entertainment began early, influenced by music, Spike Lee scripts, and editing during college at North Texas.

2. Leap of Faith to Los Angeles

• Moved to LA with no backup plan, driven by passion.
• Took a courier job to network and eventually landed an internship with Morgan Freeman’s company, Revelations Entertainment.

3. Building Tri Destin Studios

• Co-founded Tri Destin Studios with Nikita De Brown Jones.
• Emphasized creating their own lane and owning their content.
• Their goal: “Change the perception of the world” through storytelling where “we always win.”

4. The Family Business

• Based on Carl Weber’s bestselling book series.
• Independently produced before BET+ picked it up.
• Features a star-studded cast including Ernie Hudson, Valerie Pettiford, Michael Jai White, and Javicia Leslie.

5. Industry Wisdom

• Success in Hollywood is about relationships, consistency, and character.
• Warns against shortcuts and “hook-up culture” in entertainment.
• Encourages young creatives to focus on talent, value, and long-term growth.

🗣️ Notable Quotes

• On taking risks:
  “My mother said, go jump off the ledge and go fly like a bird.”

• On self-belief:
  “Who told you you could be an attorney? Nobody. You figured it out. I’m going to figure it out too.”

• On breaking into the industry:
  “I took a courier job just to meet people in the studios. I dressed like I worked there so they’d see me the way I needed to be seen.”

• On creating value:
  “The most powerful people create their own companies, their own stories, and tell them consistently.”

• On longevity:
  “If your roots aren’t settled and strong, anything can take you out.”

• On perspective:
  “Your perspective in life is the key. If you see negative, you’ll get negative. If you see the win, you’ll fly high.”

📺 Current Project Highlight

The Family Business

• Streaming on BET+
• Multi-season crime drama with layered storytelling and strong character development.
• Haley serves as executive producer and director.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Schenta D. Randolph.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight Dr. Randolph’s work as a nurse scientist, her leadership of the HEET Lab, and her efforts to address health inequities—especially HIV prevention—in Black communities in the U.S. South. The interview also aims to educate listeners on the broader scope of nursing, the importance of representation, and systemic challenges in healthcare.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Dr. Randolph’s Background

• HBCU graduate from North Carolina A&T.
• Associate Professor at Duke University School of Nursing.
• Founding Director of the HEET Lab (Health Equity through Engagement, Advocacy, and Trust).

2. The Role of Nurse Scientists

• Nurse scientists conduct research to develop evidence-based interventions.
• Less than 1% of nurse scientists are Black.
• Nursing extends beyond bedside care into entrepreneurship, behavioral science, and public health.

3. HEET Lab Mission

• Focuses on HIV prevention among Black women and young Black men.
• Engages communities through partnerships with beauty salons, barbershops, and nonprofits.
• Funded by NIH and other foundations, with a $4.4 million grant for HIV prevention research.

4. Health Inequities in the South

• Higher HIV rates in the Southern U.S. due to systemic racism, lack of access to care, and population density.
• Social determinants of health (e.g., education, food deserts, redlining) contribute to disparities.

5. Systemic Racism & Denial in Healthcare

• Systemic racism creates barriers in healthcare access and delivery.
• Denial within the Black community about health issues (e.g., HIV, obesity, diabetes) is often rooted in distrust of the healthcare system.

6. The Role of the Church & Messaging

• Churches can be powerful platforms for health education but often stigmatize HIV.
• Messaging around HIV prevention (e.g., PrEP) often excludes Black women, leading to low adoption.

7. Mentorship & Representation

• Dr. Randolph co-founded Black PhD Nurse Scientists to mentor future scholars.
• Conducts HBCU tours to expose nursing students to research careers.
• Only 3 of 33 HBCU nursing schools offer PhD programs—highlighting a gap in academic pathways.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Nursing is so much more than the bedside.”
• “Less than 1% of nurse scientists are Black.”
• “HEET stands for Health Equity through Engagement, Advocacy, and Trust.”
• “Representation matters. I became a nurse because I saw a Black woman who looked like me.”
• “We are truly our brother and our sister’s keeper.”
• “We have to advance our own health and be opinion leaders.”
• “This means more to me than my New England Journal of Medicine article.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

🔹 Summary of the Interview

Stacey Gholar, founder of Bloom Creative Agency, shares her journey from being a young mother in Chicago to becoming a brand strategist and creative entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in marketing, media, and business. She emphasizes the importance of aligning personal identity with brand strategy, especially in the digital age. Stacey discusses her approach to brand audits, the role of social media, the impact of AI, and her passion for empowering women through entrepreneurship and skincare.

🔹 Key Takeaways 1. What Is a Brand Strategist?

• A brand strategist helps individuals and businesses define and articulate their brand clearly.
• “You are the brand, but you have to put the brand together in a way that people can articulate what you do.”

2. Social Media Strategy

• Stacey conducts social media audits to ensure alignment between personal and business branding.
• She recommends having separate personal and business accounts, but acknowledges blending them when appropriate.

3. Discovery Process

• Her process starts with a discovery call to understand the client’s “why” and goals.
• She believes passion must drive entrepreneurship—not just money.

4. Digital Branding & AI

• Stacey identifies as a digital brand specialist, helping Gen X women and others pivot into digital spaces.
• She uses AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to enhance productivity but values human connection.
• “AI is an asset… but I don’t solely rely on it.”

5. Email Marketing

• Email is still vital: “If you're solely on social media, you can lose your business in a minute.”
• She advocates for funnel systems and community building outside of social platforms.

6. Going Viral vs. Being Valuable

• “You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be valuable.”
• She went viral unintentionally with a review of Harold’s Chicken, but stresses the importance of sustainable value over fleeting attention.

7. Brand Refresh & Outreach

• Most of her clients come through word of mouth, but she’s expanding her reach via social media.
• She encourages clients to step out of their comfort zones and engage in community-driven initiatives.

8. Skincare Line

• Stacey founded Skin Light Skincare at age 50 to promote pro-aging and natural beauty.
• She now focuses on organic body oils that are clean, hydrating, and hormone-safe.

🔹 Notable Quotes

• “Experience has been the best teacher for me.”
• “You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be valuable.”
• “If you stop learning, you stop growing.”
• “I want you to be a part of building your brand—not just me doing it for you.”
• “Social media is great, but word of mouth is still real.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.