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

A 24-year-old entrepreneur, touring artist, and hotel owner:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview showcases Dr. Isaiah Tatum’s extraordinary journey from homelessness to becoming a venture capitalist, hotel developer, and touring saxophonist. It aims to inspire young entrepreneurs by highlighting the importance of faith, planning, mentorship, and financial literacy.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Early Passion for Music

• Began playing saxophone at age 10.
• Influenced by legends like Kenny G, Curtis Mayfield, and Aretha Franklin.
• Practiced obsessively, leading to proficiency and touring opportunities.
• Maintains a strong connection to music despite business ventures.

“I couldn’t wait to get home and play… I practiced six hours a day.” — Isaiah Tatum

2. Entrepreneurial Drive & Financial Literacy

• Overcame homelessness and used that experience to fuel ambition.
• Became an equity investor in Jazz Pharmaceuticals at 18.
• Invested in real estate and hotel development with a focus on recession-proof models.

“I didn’t want to be an artist who had to stay on tour to maintain. I wanted to be financially free.” — Isaiah Tatum

3. Hotel Ownership & Strategy

• Owns two Candlewood Suites and an Embassy Suites in Georgia.
• Focuses on extended-stay models for consistent revenue.
• Emphasizes customer experience and operational efficiency.

“Even if they’re spending $160, make them feel like they’re spending $1 million.” — Isaiah Tatum

4. Mentorship & Education

• Studied finance and earned credentials from Wall Street Prep.
• Values mentorship from icons like Kenny G and Keith Worsham.
• Now mentors others and encourages financial literacy and self-confidence.

“Don’t look for who you are to fit in with everybody else… Elevate yourself.” — Isaiah Tatum

5. Vision & Future Endeavors

• Developing new properties in Tupelo, MS and Nashville, TN.
• Planning a Sweat Hotel concept and returning to music with a new album and tour.
• Driven by a daily mindset of growth and execution.

“Even though I’ve done really good, it’s about what I’m doing tomorrow.” — Isaiah Tatum

📌 Notable Quotes

• “Faith and a plan. A lot of people jump out there on faith. You better have a plan in your back pocket.” — Rushion McDonald
• “I fell in love with credentials… I wanted to maximize every opportunity.” — Isaiah Tatum
• “Let your results speak for themselves.” — Isaiah Tatum

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Thanks! The transcript from this episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass features a powerful and informative interview with Teri Williams, President, COO, and owner of OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the United States. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and takeaways:

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. OneUnited Bank’s Mission & Reach

• Formed by merging four Black-owned banks in Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles.
• First Black-owned digital bank (since 2005).
• Serves customers in all 50 states.
• Offers accessible, affordable financial services and promotes financial literacy.

2. Digital Banking for Underserved Communities

• OneUnited provides:
  • Mobile check deposit (via smartphone).
  • Early direct deposit (get paid 2 days early).
  • Access to 100,000+ surcharge-free ATMs (including Walgreens, 7-Eleven, Chase, Citibank).
• Designed to combat financial deserts and predatory check-cashing services in Black communities.

3. Financial Literacy & Trust

• Teri emphasizes the need for Black communities to trust Black-owned institutions.
• OneUnited is FDIC-insured and uses cutting-edge technology, including AI.
• Financial literacy is key to building generational wealth.

4. WiseOne AI Tool

• An AI-powered financial assistant that:
  • Tracks spending and subscriptions.
  • Offers insights on saving and debt reduction.
  • Aggregates data from multiple accounts to show net worth, cash flow, and financial health.

5. Youth Financial Literacy – “I Got Bank” Contest

• 15th annual contest for kids ages 8–12.
• Participants submit an essay or artwork based on a financial literacy book.
• Ten winners receive $1,000 savings accounts.
• Book: I Got Bank by Teri Williams (available free at oneunited.com/book).

6. OneTransaction Concept

• Focuses on six key financial transactions to build generational wealth:
  1. Homeownership
  2. Life Insurance
  3. Investments
  4. Profitable Business
  5. Credit Score
  6. Savings
• Encourages individuals to focus on just one to start their wealth-building journey.
• Learn more: oneunited.com/onetransaction

💬 Notable Quotes

• “We are a real bank, not a fintech. We are FDIC-insured.”
• “We are great with money. We just haven’t always had access.”
• “Focus on one transaction. That’s all it takes to start building generational wealth.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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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.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant.

🎙️ Interview Summary: Dr. Jamal Bryant

Guest: Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant
Host: Rushion McDonald
Topic: Faith, leadership, financial literacy, and community empowerment

Dr. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, shares his journey from academic setbacks to becoming one of the most influential voices in faith and social justice. The conversation explores how the Black church can evolve, empower communities economically, and embrace technology and education to uplift future generations.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🏛️ Church Beyond the Walls

• COVID-19 forced churches to rethink their purpose and expand beyond traditional worship.
• Over 3,000 people joined New Birth online during the pandemic.

“Culture changes every four years, but Black church culture changes every 20. The average church is 15 years behind schedule.”

💰 Financial Literacy & Economic Empowerment

• The Black church must teach not just tithing, but how to multiply the remaining 90%.
• Black dollars circulate only 30 minutes in the community, compared to 23 times in Asian communities.

“We ask for 10%, but never show people how to multiply the 90.”

🏦 Debt Reduction & Stewardship

• Dr. Bryant inherited a church with significant debt and reduced it through stewardship, savings, and refinancing.

“We got no corporate donations. It was model stewardship and aggressive debt reduction.”

🎓 HBCU Advocacy

• HBCUs produce the majority of Black professionals in medicine, law, education, and politics.
• Despite limited resources, they outperform many predominantly white institutions.

“North Carolina A&T graduates more Black engineers than any other program in the country.”

📚 Financial Habits & Credit Awareness

• Many African Americans live at 110% of their income.
• Dr. Bryant promotes the 10-10-80 rule: save 10%, give 10%, live on 80%.

“We have housewarming parties for apartments… we don’t talk about homeownership.”

🌍 Personal Journey & Mentorship

• Failed 11th grade, earned a GED, became the first GED student to attend Morehouse.
• Interned for Nelson Mandela, earned a master’s from Duke, and became the youngest NAACP youth director.

“You can’t achieve success by yourself. Everywhere I went, someone stepped in and moved me forward.”

🕊️ Role of the Church

• The church should be a “recycling center” for discarded lives, transforming people spiritually and socially.

“You can come as you are. Just be clear, you won’t stay as you are.”

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Your revenue is in your reflection.”
• “The church must be high-tech and high-touch.”
• “We don’t like to sit down. We like to dance and dribble.”
• “People are dying from a lack of knowledge.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Isaac Hayes III.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To highlight Isaac Hayes III’s entrepreneurial journey, his stewardship of his father’s legacy, and his creation of Fanbase, a Black-owned social media platform designed to empower creators and challenge the status quo of tech ownership and monetization.

🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Legacy & Identity

• Isaac Hayes III discusses the duality of carrying a famous name—both a burden and a blessing.
• Early in his career, he used a pseudonym to avoid bias and prove his merit as a music producer.
• Quote: “In the beginning, it kind of hurt you… down the line, it’s going to help you tremendously.”

2. Music Publishing & Ownership

• He explains the difference between masters and publishing in music rights.
• Publishing is like “musical real estate”—you own it until you sell it.
• Quote: “As long as you hold on to that musical real estate, you own it forever.”

3. Social Media as a Business Tool

• Hayes recognized the power of social media around 2008–2009.
• He emphasizes how Black culture drives social media engagement but lacks ownership.
• Quote: “Black culture elevates all infrastructures of entertainment, but we don’t own them.”

4. Fanbase: A Visionary Platform

• Fanbase is a subscription-based social media platform that:
  • Doesn’t run ads.
  • Allows creators to monetize directly via in-app purchases.
  • Sends content to all followers without suppression.
• Quote: “I’m the first social media founder to create a mechanism where people could subscribe to people using in-app purchases.”

5. Innovation & Influence

• Fanbase pioneered features like gold verification badges and mobile subscriptions before major platforms adopted them.
• Hayes asserts that Fanbase moves at the speed of Black culture, unlike competitors who mimic it.
• Quote: “The only separator between us and them is capital.”

6. Political Impact

• Hayes used social media to support political campaigns, including helping elect Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.
• He views social media as a tool for civic engagement and community empowerment.
• Quote: “Social media spreads messages through virality… it can create engagement and action very quickly.”

7. Investor-thon & Community Support

• Fanbase raised nearly \$700,000 in 10 days through an equity crowdfunding event featuring celebrities and influencers.
• Hayes stresses the importance of Black ownership in tech infrastructure.
• Quote: “If we’re not owning infrastructures, we’re just contributing to other people’s wealth.”

🧠 Final Message

Isaac Hayes III is a visionary entrepreneur who blends legacy, innovation, and cultural empowerment. His mission with Fanbase is to create a platform where creators—especially from the Black community—can thrive, monetize, and own their digital presence.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

Comedian, Actor, Entrepreneur and Radio Host

• Comedy Icon known for his Netflix special Chappelle’s Home Team Presents Earthquake: Legendary (produced by Dave Chappelle).
• Host of Quake’s House on Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Network via SiriusXM.
• Longtime contributor to the comedy scene since the 1990s, with roots in Atlanta.

🎤 Key Themes & Insights 🧠 Comedy with Purpose

• Earthquake emphasizes that his comedy is rooted in truth and humor—not shock value or controversy.
• He uses comedy to educate, especially on health issues like colonoscopies, encouraging Black men to prioritize their well-being.

💼 Business of Comedy

• Talks about the evolution from performing for meals to becoming a headliner.
• Shares insights on managing a team and making tough decisions to grow professionally.
• Advocates for professionalism over loyalty when scaling a business.

📺 Upcoming Projects

• New comedy special titled “Joke Telling Business” filmed in Atlanta.
• Developing a sitcom with Bill Burr, backed by Fox Network President Michael Thorn.

📻 Quake’s House Radio Show

• A platform for emerging comedians.
• Described as “The View with comedians,” focusing on hot topics and real-life scenarios.

❤️ Personal Life

• Credits his fiancée (soon-to-be wife) for grounding and motivating him.
• Says being “properly loved by a Black woman” has transformed his life and career.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “I’m in the joke telling business. I’m not your pastor, not your critic. Judge me on the jokes.”
• “Being properly loved by a woman, especially a Black woman, is a beautiful thing.”
• “Laughter is the best healing ever.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

A life transition expert and one of the faces of A&E’s hit show Hoarders.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:

• Explore the deeper emotional and psychological aspects of hoarding.
• Highlight Brandon Bronaugh's unique approach to helping individuals and families transition through crisis-level home situations.
• Educate the audience on the realities behind the TV show Hoarders and the broader mission of Brandon's company, Lifecycle Transitions.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Hoarding Is a Mental Health Crisis

• Hoarding is not just clutter—it’s often a manifestation of unresolved trauma.
• The physical accumulation reflects emotional and psychological pain.

“You learn more about a person from their home than any other facet of their life.” – Brandon Bronaugh

2. Lifecycle Transitions: A Holistic Approach

• Bronaugh’s company blends emotional, logistical, and real estate support.
• Services include cleanup, therapy, home evaluations, and even relocation.
• The Transition Evaluation Assessment (TEA) helps clients decide whether to stay, sell, or relocate.

3. Clients Often Don’t Self-Identify as Hoarders

• Most clients are high-functioning individuals who don’t recognize their behavior as hoarding.
• Shame and embarrassment are major barriers to seeking help.

“Very few people have ever called it. I mean, we do… but what I didn’t know is what it took for them to get to that point.”

4. Health and Safety Risks

• Hoarding environments can lead to respiratory issues, mold, fire hazards, and even death.
• Bronaugh created a mold remediation division after realizing the health dangers hidden behind clutter.

5. Demographics and Challenges

• About 80% of Bronaugh’s clients are Caucasian, but hoarding affects all races and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Cases range from teenagers to the elderly.
• Hoarding has a high recidivism rate (65–70%).

6. Spiritual and Entrepreneurial Journey

• Bronaugh started as a property preservation contractor.
• His mission evolved into a humanitarian effort to save lives.

“God had a plan. He said, no, you’re going to save lives and change.”

💬 Notable Quotes

• “When you go home, that’s when the mask is taken off. That’s when you can be your most authentic self.”
• “For every one year that a client goes without addressing the hoarding conditions… is equivalent to about one day of actual cleanup.”
• “We’re going to build this ecosystem… that we can do what most companies would take nine months to do in 30 days.”
• “The home is killing them.”

📞 How to Get Help

• Website: LifecycleTransitions.com
• Email: info@lifecycletransitions.com
• Services include in-home evaluations, virtual assessments, and a zero-contact cleanup option for clients too ashamed to be present.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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