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

Author of Ally Leadership, How To Lead People Who Are Not Like You, is the first African-American president of a private aviation company with 30+ years of experience- which she began as a baggage handler and led to top executive roles like President of JetSuite and Chief Growth Officer at Wheels Up. Company Description *Launched and led this successful coaching and training firm, establishing the business plan and strategic vision, as well as providing the business development, sales, and operations oversight needed to grow quickly. Engage with clients to provide sales training, executive mentorship, and business coaching, focusing on leadership communications and high-ticket selling.
𝙆𝙀𝙔 𝘼𝘾𝙃𝙄𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙎:
⇒ Secured business contracts with major Fortune 500 enterprises, including Prudential, PwC, and Raymond James.⇒ Delivered coaching and advisory services to help small businesses achieve significant improvement, with one client doubling its revenue within 1 year.⇒ Strategically positioned clients to achieve historical best numbers within the first 90 days of engagement.⇒ Expanded revenue opportunities with the development of the “Neuroscience Selling” training product and publication of a highly sought-after book, “Profit Like a Girl, A Woman’s Guide to Kicking Butt in Sales and Leadership.”⇒ Enhanced company and brand visibility through media contributions and speaking engagements for ABC, NBC, CBS, and Inc.com.

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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

A certified financial planner and college funding expert.

• Over 20 years of experience in financial planning.
• Specializes in college financial planning.
• Runs the website and podcast: TamingTheHighCostOfCollege.com

2. Understanding College Funding Options

• Need-Based Aid: Based on family income/assets (e.g., FAFSA).
• Merit-Based Aid: Based on academic, athletic, or other achievements.
• Loans: A tool—not inherently bad, but must be used wisely.
• Military Benefits: Viable for some families, but not universal.

3. Late-Stage College Planning

• Begins in sophomore or freshman year of high school.
• Parents should start early to avoid last-minute stress and poor decisions.
• Includes understanding aid formulas, school selection, and financial strategy.

4. The Real Cost of College

• The sticker price is not the actual price most families pay.
• Example: Stanford may cost \$87,000/year, but families earning under \$100K may pay nothing.
• Each school has different aid policies—research is essential.

5. Balancing College and Retirement

• Many families sacrifice retirement savings to pay for college.
• Brad emphasizes awareness of trade-offs: “Don’t delay retirement to pay for college unless you understand the consequences.”

6. Common Mistakes

• Waiting too long to plan.
• Relying on anecdotal advice from friends or relatives.
• Applying only to expensive schools without exploring affordable alternatives.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Loans aren’t good or bad—they’re just a tool. But using the wrong tool can cause damage.”
• “The sticker price is not the price you pay. It’s the starting point.”
• “Start planning in sophomore year. Don’t wait until senior year when deadlines are looming.”
• “You can’t delay retirement to pay for college and expect it to work out. That’s a dangerous trade-off.”
• “Education is affordable—you just need to know the right path.”

• #BEST
• #STRAW
• #SHMS

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Robin Donaldson.

Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Founder of Renew Construction Services & STEM Exposure

🔑 Episode Highlights 🔄 From Incarceration to Inspiration

• Robin shares her journey from a strict religious upbringing to incarceration due to drug-related activities.
• Served 5 years in prison, where she earned two associate degrees and developed a passion for learning and leadership.

🧹 Building a Business from the Ground Up

• Learned high-level cleaning skills in prison and at Hilton during work release.
• Founded Renew Construction Services, which grew from cleaning trailers to major contracts like:
  • Tampa Convention Center
  • NFL Super Bowl & Kickoff
  • City of Tampa, Moffitt Cancer Center, USF

🏗️ Strategic Growth & Collaboration

• Became a Home Depot distributor.
• Uses collaboration to uplift smaller contractors and scale projects.
• Emphasizes relationship-building and proactive planning over reactive bidding.

👩🏽‍🔬 STEM Exposure Nonprofit

• Founded STEM Exposure to introduce Black girls to underrepresented STEM careers.
• Offers local and global architecture and construction camps.
• Operates in 10 countries and 4 time zones with a focus on AI, engineering, and design.

🏆 Recognition & Legacy

• Honored with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
• Embraces her past as part of her story, using it to inspire others.
• Celebrates milestones like putting bills on autopay as symbols of stability and peace.

🌐 Websites

• STEM Exposure: stemxposure.org (drop the “e” in “exposure”)
• Renew Construction Services: renewconstructionservices.com

#SHMS #BEST #STRAW

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

A LinkedIn Top Voice and author of Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career. Hosted by Rushion McDonald, the conversation dives deep into the power of presence, personal branding, and workplace advancement in a digital-first world. Lorraine shares tactical strategies and career-transforming insights from her own corporate journey and bestselling book.

📘 About Lorraine K. Lee
• Career: Former founding editor at LinkedIn and Prezi
• Author: Unforgettable Presence, a practical guide for professional visibility
• Focus: Empowering ambitious professionals to go from overlooked to unforgettable
• Audience: Corporate professionals, team leaders, speakers, and solopreneurs

💡 Key Themes & Insights
• Modern Presence: From Zoom calls to LinkedIn profiles, visibility in the virtual workplace is key
• Personal Brand = Career Brand: Your reputation is your brand—intentionally shape it
• Advocacy: Success comes from promoting your work and knowing how to communicate value
• Layoff Recovery: How Lorraine turned a 2022 tech layoff into the launchpad for her book and speaking career
• Executive Presence: Reimagined with the “3 C’s”—Communication, Career Brand, and Credibility
• Promotion Strategy: Be proactive, not reactive—speak your career goals early and often
• Representation Matters: As an Asian-American woman, Lorraine emphasizes visibility and authenticity for underrepresented professionals

📚 Unforgettable Presence Book Takeaways
• 4 Key Sections:

1. Set a Strong Foundation
2. Build Essential Modern Skills
3. Advance Your Career with Intention
4. Lead and Expand Team Presence
   Real stories, data-driven advice, and step-by-step frameworks to elevate your visibility

🔁 Personal Journey
• Left corporate life after a layoff and built a thriving brand as a speaker, author, and executive coach
• Overcame corporate stagnation by advocating for herself, creating a content strategy, and building her confidence through consistency

📣 Call to Action
Lorraine invites professionals to treat themselves like a brand and take control of their visibility. Follow her on LinkedIn, subscribe to her Career Bites newsletter, or enroll in one of her LinkedIn Learning courses to begin your journey toward becoming unforgettable.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

Founder of Hopeful Therapy and Consulting, she provides holistic mental health care with an emphasis on trauma-informed support for individuals living with autoimmune diseases.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Understanding Autoimmune Diseases

   • Autoimmune diseases occur when the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells. Common examples include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Crohn’s disease.
   • Over 80 types of autoimmune diseases exist, yet public awareness remains low.

2. Tamara’s Personal Journey

   • She has worked in mental health for over two decades.
   • During the Covid lockdown, she experienced worsening symptoms, eventually leading to her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
   • With limited resources available during the pandemic, she relied on her professional expertise and personal resilience to navigate her new reality.

3. Symptoms & Daily Impact

   • Inflammation & Mobility Issues – Tamara experienced extreme stiffness, particularly in her hands, making basic tasks difficult.
   • Chronic Fatigue – Unlike normal tiredness, this type of exhaustion can cause sudden body shutdowns, resembling narcolepsy.

4. Mental Health & Autoimmune Disease

   • Growing Awareness in Black Communities – The last five years have seen significant improvements in mental health advocacy, especially post-Covid.
   • Cultural Stigma – While progress has been made, stigma around seeking help still exists in communities of color.
   • Safe Spaces Matter – Tamara emphasizes the importance of therapy and open dialogue for individuals managing chronic illnesses.

5. Diet & Lifestyle Adjustments

   • The anti-inflammatory diet plays a critical role in managing symptoms.
   • Avoiding processed foods, excessive sugar, and farm-raised meats can reduce inflammation.
   • Each person’s dietary needs differ based on their autoimmune condition.

6. The Invitation Documentary

   • Tamara directed an award-winning documentary, The Invitation, which educates the public about autoimmune diseases.
   • Available for rent on Vimeo, the film includes testimonials, expert insights, and screenings with interactive discussions.

📘 Resources & Contact Information
Tamara’s work is accessible through:
🔗 Instagram: @TheInvitationDocumentary
🔗 Website: https://www.hopefulltherapyandconsulting.com/

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

She is the founder of Grow Give Prosper, and discusses her nonprofit’s mission to provide financial education and career opportunities through partnerships like Grow with Google.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. The Mission Behind Grow Give Prosper

   • Lester founded the nonprofit to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively.
   • She focuses on financial literacy, career development, and economic empowerment.

2. Partnership with Grow with Google

   • Provides career certification scholarships in cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, IT support, project management, and UX design.
   • Scholarships are free and open to individuals across the U.S., requiring only a commitment to complete the program.

3. Breaking Barriers in Financial Education

   • Lester noticed that financial struggles affect people regardless of education level.
   • She aims to make financial literacy accessible and understandable for all.

4. Boots-on-the-Ground Outreach

   • Personally visits community centers, adult education classes, and underserved areas to spread awareness.
   • Actively engages with individuals to encourage participation in career certification programs.

5. Overcoming Skepticism & Challenges

   • Some people initially doubt the legitimacy of free scholarships.
   • Lester emphasizes that Google certifications are recognized by employers and can lead to high-paying jobs.

📘 About Cassandra Lester
Cassandra Lester is a financial literacy advocate and nonprofit leader dedicated to helping individuals build wealth through education and career advancement. Her organization, Grow Give Prosper, provides resources to underserved communities, ensuring they have access to life-changing opportunities.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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In 2017, two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald launched his podcast, Money Making Conversations Master Class.

In the fifth episode of the Keep Winning Information series. Entrepreneur Jackson Dunbar. Dunbar shares his journey of overcoming chronic pain, financial struggles, and systemic challenges while building a successful life.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. Overcoming Chronic Pain

   • Dunbar discusses his experience as a chronic pain patient following a car accident in 2015.
   • He explains how he shifted his mindset from focusing on what he lost to what he could still achieve.

2. Mental Health & Therapy

   • He shares how therapy helped him navigate the emotional toll of chronic pain.
   • He emphasizes the importance of mental health support, particularly for Black men, and the stigma surrounding therapy.

3. Financial Recovery & Investing

   • Dunbar details how he rebuilt his financial stability through strategic investing.
   • He explains how he leveraged his analytical skills to succeed in stock market investments.

4. Systemic Challenges in Healthcare

   • He discusses racial biases in pain management and the difficulties Black patients face in receiving proper treatment.
   • He highlights the disparities in opioid prescription practices and the stereotypes affecting Black patients.

5. Lessons in Resilience & Purpose

   • Dunbar shares how he transformed personal hardships into motivation to educate and inspire others.
   • He encourages listeners to focus on what they can control and maximize their opportunities.

📘 About His Book
Dunbar’s book, Race Matters in Pain Medicine: How I Made Money, Lost 90 Pounds, and Thrived in Chronic Pain, provides a firsthand account of his journey through financial and health challenges, offering insights on resilience and success.

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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Hi, I'm Rushion McDonald, the host of the weekly Money Making Conversations Master Class show. This show provides interviews and information for everyone. It’s time to stop reading other people’s success stories and start living your own. Have you ever thought about starting a business? If so, why did – or didn’t – you do it?

Rushion McDonald shared valuable insights on how to be a successful business owner and the role Amazon Business can play in streamlining operations.

Keys to Business Success

• Hiring Wisely: Avoid hiring based on familiarity or budget alone—background checks and qualifications matter.
• Budgeting & Planning: Many businesses fail because they lack a financial plan before launching.
• Time Management: Running a business requires dedication—McDonald wakes up at 4:30 AM daily to stay ahead.
• Consistency & Trust: Businesses must be reliable—whether it’s keeping inventory stocked or ensuring parking availability for customers.
• Learning from Mistakes: McDonald shared his early struggles, including hiring unqualified staff and failing to pay taxes properly.

How Amazon Business Helps

• Bulk Purchasing: Saves time and money by allowing businesses to buy supplies in bulk.
• Smart Insights: Amazon Business Analytics helps track spending and optimize purchases.
• Efficiency & Convenience: Offers free accounts with no spending minimum, making it accessible for small businesses and large organizations alike.
• Flexible Payment Options: Businesses can choose multiple payment methods for streamlined transactions.

McDonald emphasized that Amazon Business can help entrepreneurs focus on growth rather than administrative burdens. His advice encourages strategic decision-making and leveraging technology for success. The Amazon Business account is free, and there’s no spending minimum.

#AMI

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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