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

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

🔑 Episode Highlights 🔄 From Incarceration to Inspiration

• Robyn 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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

A natural-born entrepreneur and community leader.

🎙️ Guest Background: Michael Woodward

• Grew up in Liberty City, Miami, in a low-income housing project known as the "Poke and Bean" projects.
• Learned early business skills from his grandmother, who was the local "candy lady."
• Served briefly in the military as a way out of poverty.
• Became a teen father and took his son with him to college at Florida A&M University (FAMU).
• Known for his hospitality and work ethic during college—cooked for friends and maintained a welcoming home.

🏠 Entrepreneurial Journey

• Bought his first duplex at age 20, renovated it, and rented it out.
• Built a real estate portfolio while working as an educator.
• Founded Woodward Property Group, a full-service home improvement and property management company.
• Became one of Lowe’s top contractors through a combination of skill, networking, and mentorship.

📚 Educational Impact

• Worked as an assistant principal and educator for 20 years.
• Founded Alpha Educational Consultants, Inc.
• Took students on college tours, especially to HBCUs, to expose them to higher education opportunities.
• Ran STEM programs and mentoring initiatives with a 99.9% college placement rate.

💡 Life Lessons & Advice

• Emphasizes financial literacy: avoid unnecessary spending (e.g., new cars every year).
• Advocates for education as a path to wealth.
• Believes in the village mentality—community support and shared success.
• Encourages young people to choose between college, military, or trade school.

#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 Karimah McFarlane.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To explore Karimah McFarlane’s multifaceted journey—from her corporate leadership roles at Google and Workday to becoming the owner of Buckhead Art & Company—and to inspire others to embrace change, pursue entrepreneurship, and understand the value of art as a tool for wealth-building and cultural empowerment.

🧭 Key Takeaways 1. Corporate Career & Tech Leadership

• Karimah has 20+ years in Human Resources, specializing in mergers and acquisitions.
• At Google, she supported AI and Pixel teams as a People Business Partner, despite initially thinking the recruiter’s call was spam.
• Currently at Workday, she partners with the Chief Revenue Officer to build high-performing sales teams and develop leadership pipelines.

2. Navigating Change & Cultural Shifts

• Transitioned from the East Coast (DMV area) to the Bay Area, facing cultural adjustments (e.g., lack of familiar foods, hair products).
• Found support through Delta Sigma Theta sorority and Black Googlers Network.
• Emphasized the importance of embracing discomfort and new experiences for personal and professional growth.

3. HR as a Strategic Asset

• HR is more than hiring/firing—it’s about scaling businesses, developing talent, and preventing legal issues.
• Small businesses often undervalue HR until a crisis occurs.
• HR should be seen as a strategic partner on leadership teams.

4. Art as Wealth, Culture & Healing

• Karimah owns Buckhead Art & Company, the only art gallery in Buckhead, Atlanta.
• Inspired by her exposure to art investment at Google and her role in selecting art for corporate spaces.
• Advocates for marginalized artists by helping them with branding, IP protection, and business structure.

5. Making Art Accessible

• The gallery focuses on beginner and mid-level collectors, offering education and approachable experiences.
• Offers virtual consultations, art fairs, and community events to demystify art buying.
• Emphasizes the emotional, cultural, and financial value of art.

6. Recognition & Impact

• Buckhead Art & Company was named Best Art Gallery in Georgia (2023 & 2024).
• Uses her platform to educate, empower, and elevate artists and collectors alike.
• Promotes artist development through storytelling, branding, and business mentorship.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Empowerment is figuring out what you do best and using your talent to help others.”
• “Don’t shy away from opportunities that give you insights and experiences.”
• “HR helps you scale your organization—it’s not just about hiring and firing.”
• “Art has always been at the forefront of royalty, wealth, and education.”
• “We specialize in humans. When you walk into our gallery, you are equal.”
• “You don’t have to win an Oscar to be a great actor. Same with art—you don’t need a traditional path to be successful.”

🔗 Connect with Karimah McFarlane

• Gallery: Buckhead Art & Company
• YouTube: Buckhead Art & Company
• Instagram: @buckheadartandcompany

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.