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

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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

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

A cybersecurity expert and AI consultant. The conversation explores cybersecurity best practices, the rise of AI, and how Gregory is helping churches and nonprofits leverage technology to spread the gospel.

🔐 Cybersecurity Insights 🔹 Gregory’s Background

• Based in Dallas, Texas.
• Works full-time as an ethical hacker and cybersecurity consultant for major corporations and governments.
• Also a serial entrepreneur with ventures in real estate, consulting, and software.

🔹 Key Cybersecurity Takeaways

• Multitasking Myth: Gregory argues that humans are not wired for multitasking—focus leads to better outcomes.
• Password:
  • Avoid using simple passwords like “1234.”
  • Don’t reuse passwords across platforms.
  • Use passphrases (e.g., Bible verses) for stronger security.
  • Change passwords regularly.
• Password Vaults: Recommends using reputable services like Google or Microsoft.
• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Strongly encourages using 2FA to protect accounts.
• Phishing Scams:
  • Be wary of urgent or fear-based emails.
  • Always verify suspicious messages by contacting the company directly.
  • Scammers often mimic trusted brands (e.g., Facebook, Bank of America).

🔹 The Bigger Picture

• Cybercrime now generates more revenue than global drug trafficking.
• Criminal organizations are well-funded and recruit tech talent to build sophisticated scams.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence & Opportunity 🔹 AI as a Tool for Good

• Compares AI to the Gutenberg printing press—initially misused, but ultimately transformative.
• Believes AI’s potential far outweighs its risks.

🔹 AI in Business

• Helps businesses identify “million-dollar problems” and solve them with AI.
• Example: Built a toll-tracking app for a car rental company that became more profitable than the rental business itself.
• Encourages entrepreneurs to use AI tools to build apps without needing coding skills.

🔹 AI in Education

• Created a custom math quiz app for his daughter using her course materials and AI.

🙏 AI for Churches & Nonprofits

• Gregory focuses on helping churches and nonprofits use AI to:
  • Spread the gospel.
  • Operate more efficiently.
  • Compete with limited budgets.
• Offers consulting and resources through his website: GregoryRichardson.ai

📚 Book Mentioned

• Gregory has authored a book on using AI to solve business problems and create scalable solutions.

🎙️ Closing Notes

• Rushion praises Gregory’s passion, clarity, and practical advice.
• Plans to bring him back for a deeper dive into AI’s role in faith-based and nonprofit work.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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