Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Chef Kevin Bludso.

Here’s a summary of MMCMC Script File 18, an episode of Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rushion McDonald, featuring special guest Kevin Bledsoe, founder of Bledsoe’s Barbecue and a two-time Hoodie Award winner.

🔥 Key Topics Discussed 1. The Hoodie Awards Legacy

• Kevin credits the Hoodie Awards for launching his national visibility.
• Describes the experience as “life-changing,” giving pride and validation to small business owners.
• Emphasizes how the awards brought community recognition, celebrity exposure, and lasting friendships.

2. Bledsoe’s Barbecue Journey

• Originated in Compton, CA, with family BBQ roots in Corsicana, TX.
• Now an international brand with locations in Los Angeles, San Antonio, and even Melbourne, Australia.
• Known for slow-smoked meats, authentic Southern sides, and consistent quality.

3. Celebrity Support & Customer Experience

• Celebrities frequent Bledsoe’s, but Kevin emphasizes treating everyone with respect.
• Consistency in food and service is key: “Every plate looks immaculate.”
• Rushion shares personal stories of bringing military and corporate guests to the restaurant.

4. Television Career

• Kevin’s TV debut came unexpectedly via a producer who overheard him joking in the kitchen.
• Became a regular on Bar Rescue and now stars on Netflix’s American Barbecue Showdown.
• His authenticity and humor made him a standout personality.

5. Philanthropy & Community Impact

• Bledsoe’s has paid for funerals, provided scholarships, and supported local causes.
• Kevin believes in giving back: “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• Emphasizes the importance of teamwork, community, and uplifting others.

6. Entrepreneurship Real Talk

• Warns aspiring entrepreneurs: “Owning a business is the hardest job you’ll ever have.”
• Shares his early grind—working 24-hour days between BBQ and DJ gigs.
• Encourages building a strong team and trusting the process.

7. Civic Engagement

• Passionate about voting rights and Black empowerment.
• Urges listeners to vote in person and stay informed about political and social issues.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “I don’t give to be blessed. I’m blessed, so I give.”
• “Are you ready to go eight years without a day off?”
• “The Hoodie Awards made us feel like celebrities—like we mattered.”
• “You need fans in the stands. That’s called customers.”
• “If I’m making it and my people aren’t, then I’m not making it.”

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

The founder and artistic director of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective. This episode blends art, activism, education, and cultural preservation through the lens of Black history and dance.

Here are the key highlights:

🎭 About Stacey Allen

• Founder of Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective, a professional dance company focused on art and wellness through the lens of Black women and girls.
• Author of two children’s books, including:
  • A Little Optimism Goes a Long Way (introduces children to Katherine Dunham)
  • D is for Dance and for the Diaspora (A–Z guide to African diaspora dance styles)
• Recipient of the 2024 Children’s Publication Award from the National Association of Multicultural Education.

🩰 Dance as Activism

• Stacy uses dance to tell stories of African American history, identity, and empowerment.
• Her performances are rooted in education, cultural preservation, and social justice.
• She emphasizes that dance is not just performance—it’s a tool for healing, storytelling, and activism.

🌍 Cultural Legacy & Freedom Colonies

• Stacy’s work includes performances like The Fairy Tale Project, which tells the love story of the founders of the Sankofa Freedom Colony in Texas.
• She collaborates with the Texas Freedom Colonies Project, which documents over 500 historically Black settlements in Texas.
• These colonies were founded by formerly enslaved people post-emancipation and are often overlooked in mainstream history.

🌊 Emotional Pilgrimage

• Stacy shares her transformative experience visiting Gorée Island in Senegal, a major slave port, and draws parallels to Galveston, Texas, where Juneteenth originated.
• She reflects on the emotional weight of visiting ancestral lands and how it informs her art and mission.

📚 Educational Mission

• Through her books, performances, and workshops (including in juvenile detention centers), Stacy educates youth and communities about Black history and identity.
• She believes that knowing your history empowers your future.

📣 How to Connect with Stacy

• Website: www.niasdaughters.com
• Instagram: @niasdaughters
• Facebook: Nia’s Daughters Movement Collective

💬 Rushion’s Reflections

• Rushion expresses deep admiration for Stacy’s passion and educational impact.
• He emphasizes the importance of sharing her work widely, especially the history of Texas Freedom Colonies, which he compares to the Underground Railroad in significance.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Barbosa.

CEO and Founder of International Supply Partners (ISP), about breaking into government contracting, navigating a male-dominated industry, and the complexities of supply chain management.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

Breaking into Government Contracting

• Barbosa started her business by targeting government contracts, recognizing that the government is the largest buyer of goods and services.
• She explained how RFQs (Request for Quotes) and RFPs (Request for Proposals) allow new suppliers to compete for contracts.

Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry

• She admitted that entering the industrial supply sector was challenging but credited her fearlessness and determination for her success.
• Barbosa emphasized that women entrepreneurs must focus on value and expertise rather than industry stereotypes.

Supply Chain & Procurement Strategies

• ISP specializes in safety, PPE, industrial, janitorial, and construction supplies, ensuring cost-effective procurement solutions.
• Barbosa detailed how understanding supply chain logistics helped her compete with big-box suppliers.

COVID-19 & PPE Pricing Surge

• During the pandemic, PPE prices skyrocketed due to high demand and supply chain disruptions.
• Barbosa explained how manufacturers shifted production to PPE, leading to price gouging and bidding wars.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in Business

• Barbosa’s company is certified as a minority-owned and women-owned business, but she emphasized that quality and service—not identity—should drive business success.
• She believes that DEI initiatives should not be the sole reason for doing business, but rather a tool for leveraging opportunities.

📘 About Jennifer Barbosa & International Supply Partners
Jennifer Barbosa is a visionary entrepreneur and supply chain specialist, leading International Supply Partners (ISP) in streamlining procurement for businesses and government agencies. ISP is a trusted provider of essential goods, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and competitive pricing.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.