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

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

The managing partner of Guardian Due Diligence. Here’s a breakdown of the key topics and highlights:

Key Themes & Highlights

1. Buying Small Businesses vs. Franchises

   • Holland explains the differences between purchasing a franchise and acquiring an independent business.
   • He highlights the risk-reward balance, noting that franchises offer a structured model, while independent businesses can be more lucrative but require deeper due diligence.

2. Financial Strategies for Business Acquisition

   • He discusses the SBA 7(a) loan program, which allows buyers to acquire businesses with 90-95% financing, making ownership more accessible.
   • Holland explains how leveraging financing can turn a small investment into a million-dollar business.

3. Due Diligence & Avoiding Bad Deals

   • He emphasizes the importance of financial diligence to ensure buyers don’t acquire failing businesses.
   • Holland shares red flags to watch for, such as misleading financials and sellers masking poor performance.

4. Masterclass for First-Time Buyers

   • Holland introduces his Business Buying Masterclass, designed to educate entrepreneurs on the acquisition process.
   • He provides one-on-one coaching, helping buyers navigate financing, negotiations, and deal structuring.

5. Success Stories & Case Studies

   • He shares examples of clients who successfully acquired businesses, including a 24-year-old entrepreneur and a 60-year-old investor.
   • Holland highlights how his expertise helped buyers secure financing, conduct due diligence, and close profitable deals.

About Elliot Holland & Guardian Due Diligence

Elliot Holland is a Harvard MBA, private equity investor, and business acquisition expert. He founded Guardian Due Diligence to help first-time buyers confidently purchase profitable businesses. His firm specializes in financial diligence, ensuring buyers make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Through his masterclass and consulting, Holland empowers entrepreneurs to build wealth through business ownership.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

A cryptocurrency and blockchain educator and entrepreneur. Here's a summary of the key points discussed:

🎙️ Main Themes and Highlights Michelle Lilly’s Background

• Entered the cryptocurrency space in 2017.
• Initially lost money in a scam but used the experience to educate herself.
• Became the first African-American woman with a master’s degree in blockchain and digital currency from the University of Nicosia.

Understanding Cryptocurrency

• Bitcoin is described as a protocol, not just a currency—used for value storage and transfer.
• Ethereum is highlighted for its smart contract capabilities and utility.
• Cryptocurrencies are a hybrid between stock and currency—they have utility like stock and liquidity like currency.

Why Bitcoin Has Value

• Scarcity: Only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist.
• Deflationary: Bitcoin undergoes a “halving” every four years, reducing the rate of new coins.
• Decentralization: Not controlled by any central authority, making it secure and transparent.

NFTs and the Metaverse

• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique digital assets, often used for art and music.
• Artists can sell directly to consumers and earn royalties on resales.
• The metaverse is explained as a 3D version of the internet (Web 3.0), where users can own digital land and assets.

Empowering Underserved Communities

• Michelle emphasizes the importance of African-American and female participation in crypto and blockchain.
• Encourages people to educate themselves and not wait for permission to participate in new financial systems.

Practical Advice

• You don’t need a lot of money to start investing in crypto.
• Understanding the current financial system is just as important as learning about the new one.
• Consistency, self-awareness, and openness to criticism are key to success.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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