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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview introduces Cassandra Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper and its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative. The goal is to provide free career certification scholarships to underserved and economically impacted communities, helping individuals increase earning potential and gain financial literacy.

Key Takeaways

1. Mission of Grow Give Prosper

   • Founded in 2023, focused on financial education and empowerment.
   • Aims to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively.

2. Google Partnership

   • Offers free career certifications in high-demand fields:
     • Cybersecurity
     • Data Analytics
     • Digital Marketing & E-commerce
     • IT Support
     • Project Management
     • UX Design
   • Certifications are self-paced, online, and typically take 3–6 months.
   • No prior experience required; participants receive a portfolio upon completion.

3. Accessibility

   • Scholarships are free; the only requirement is commitment.
   • Available to anyone in the continental U.S., regardless of education level (GED, college dropout, etc.).
   • Registration via growgiveprosper.org (scroll to Google Career Scholarships).

4. Impact

   • Over 300 scholarships awarded; previously had 500.
   • Designed to level the playing field for those without Ivy League degrees.
   • Certifications can stack (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics) for greater career potential.

5. Financial Literacy

   • Defined as understanding financial concepts and applying them to daily life.
   • Misconceptions persist—some communities avoid discussing money or undervalue credit scores.
   • Cassandra emphasizes breaking cycles of predatory lending and poor financial habits.

6. Challenges

   • Cultural reluctance to discuss money.
   • Skepticism about legitimacy of programs.
   • Difficulty securing grants as a small nonprofit.
   • Cassandra combats these through grassroots outreach and workshops.

7. Personal Drive

   • Cassandra’s passion stems from seeing financial struggles across all demographics.
   • She actively promotes opportunities through community centers, adult education classes, and social media.

Notable Quotes

• “I want us to grow together so that we can give to each other and then prosper as a collective.”
• “Google is leveling the playing field—you don’t need an Ivy League education to earn a livable wage.”
• “The only fee is commitment.”
• “Financial literacy means you understand the words, you hear the conversation, and it’s not Greek to you.”
• “You can’t talk about managing finances if you really don’t have anything coming in.”
• “You don’t want to miss this opportunity to increase your earning potential.”
• “Once you’re certified, that’s yours for life—you can’t repo a degree or certification.”

#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 Teresa Edwards.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to introduce Teresa Edwards’ book The Mirror Method: 12 Weeks to Stop Abandoning Yourself, a guided workbook designed to help individuals overcome people-pleasing tendencies, set boundaries, and prioritize their own needs without guilt. It focuses on personal empowerment, mental health, and rediscovering one’s authentic self.

Key Takeaways

1. People-Pleasing and Boundaries

   • People-pleasing becomes harmful when you agree to things you don’t want to do, leading to stress and resentment.
   • Setting boundaries is essential for self-respect and mental health.

2. The Mirror Method

   • A 12-week guided process to “unravel” harmful patterns and rediscover your true self.
   • Emphasizes self-reflection, journaling, and gradual transformation at your own pace.

3. Selfishness vs. Self-Care

   • Edwards reframes “selfish” as a positive concept: prioritizing your health and happiness is necessary, not negative.
   • You can’t be your best for others if you’re not your best for yourself.

4. Health as a Wake-Up Call

   • Stress is a silent killer; Teresa’s own health issues (high blood pressure) forced her to reevaluate her life.
   • Happiness and well-being should not be age-limited—“You’re never too old to return to yourself.”

5. Letting Go of Toxic Relationships

   • Users often exploit people-pleasers; recognizing and removing such relationships is crucial.
   • Fully committing to the Mirror Method means accepting hard truths and being okay with losing people who drain you.

6. Therapy and Mental Health

   • COVID accelerated acceptance of therapy in communities where it was previously stigmatized.
   • Mental health is as important as physical health—“The mind is a muscle too.”

7. Workbook Details

   • Available on Amazon and at themirrormethodworkbook.com in print and downloadable formats.
   • Exercises involve writing and self-reflection to confront truths and break patterns.

Notable Quotes

• “Boundaries are key.”
• “Selfish is not a negative word—it’s perseverance of yourself.”
• “You can’t throw a party and be mad at your own party.”
• “Enough is enough—look in the mirror and say it.”
• “You’re never too old to return to yourself.”
• “Stress is that silent killer.”
• “Fully commit means accepting all those good, bad, or ugly moments—and being okay with letting go.”
• “The mind is a muscle too.”
• “Be okay with being okay.”

#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 Felecia Hatcher.

Purpose of the Interview

• To spotlight Black Ambition, a national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
• To share insights on entrepreneurship, access to resources, and strategies for scaling businesses.
• To inspire and educate small business owners and innovators on how to leverage opportunities for growth.

Key Takeaways

1. About Black Ambition

   • Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs.
   • Provides capital, mentorship, and masterclasses to help founders scale.
   • Has invested in 131 companies and awarded millions in funding.

2. Competition Structure

   • Annual national competition with 2,500–3,000 applications.
   • Categories include HBCU, National Finalists, Top Prize Winner, People’s Choice.
   • Process: Applications → 250 semifinalists → 3-month cohort → Demo Day for top 20–25 companies.

3. Unique Approach

   • Focus on high-quality mentorship, not “low vibrational” guidance.
   • Includes mental health and wellness support for entrepreneurs.
   • Partnerships with brands like Louis Vuitton for luxury retail insights.

4. Challenges for Entrepreneurs

   • Many fail by rushing applications and skipping info sessions.
   • Success requires clarity, traction, and persistence—sometimes multiple attempts.
   • Black women are the fastest-growing entrepreneurs but often remain solopreneurs; Black Ambition prioritizes team-building.

5. Pharrell’s Motivation

   • Believes in democratizing opportunity: “Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.”
   • Inspired by those who believed in him early in his career.

6. Felecia Hatcher’s Journey

   • Former founder of Center for Black Innovation and Black Tech Week.
   • Emphasizes resilience: “I’m a C student and a college dropout, but I never let that define me.”
   • Advocates for creative pathways to success and capital access.

Notable Quotes

• “Success leaves clues.” – On learning from past winners.
• “Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.” – Pharrell’s guiding principle.
• “If it doesn’t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.” – On persistence.
• “We have to start enjoying the process… be stretched, be cut by the process.” – On entrepreneurial growth.
• “Wealth has a need for speed.” – On urgency in closing the wealth gap.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.