Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Christina Dukes Brown.

CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Paterson and Passaic, NJ

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aimed to:

• Raise awareness about the Boys & Girls Club’s impact on underserved communities in Paterson and Passaic, NJ.
• Issue a call to action for volunteers, mentors, corporations, and donors to support youth programs.
• Highlight challenges faced by marginalized communities and how the Club addresses them through education, nutrition, and character-building programs.

Key Takeaways

1. Community Impact

   • The Club serves 1,400 children and teens daily across two main clubhouses and 11 satellite sites.
   • Programs include academic support, tutoring, arts, athletics, and life skills development.

2. Challenges in the Community

   • High rates of homelessness, food deserts, and low literacy and math proficiency (only ~20% literate and ~15% proficient in math in Paterson).
   • Stereotypes and “deficit ideology” that assume poor or minority youth lack capacity for success.

3. Programs and Initiatives

   • Academic Support: Homework help, tutoring, and Saturday sessions.
   • Creative Outlets: Dance, musicals, and arts.
   • Sports & Aquatics: Swimming program praised for breaking stereotypes.
   • Young Adult Support (18–24): Internships, skill-building, and career readiness for those not pursuing college.

4. Call to Action

   • Volunteers and mentors needed to inspire youth.
   • Corporations and entrepreneurs encouraged to provide internships and teach business skills.
   • Donations critical—$4M annual fundraising goal to sustain programs.

5. Dr. Brown’s Motivation

   • Rooted in her upbringing in Jersey City during the crack era.
   • Believes in being part of the solution, not just complaining about systemic issues.
   • Emphasizes building “efficacious spirits” and affirming unique skills in youth.

Notable Quotes

• On Motivation:
  “I can’t complain about the position of Black and Brown people in society if I’m not going to do the work necessary to support its elevation.”

• On Stereotypes:
  “Deficit ideology assumes that if you are poor or minority, you do not have the capacity to be successful. We fight that every day.”

• On Community Support:
  “My community got me where I am today… I’m calling on the village to support what we’re trying to do.”

• On Youth Potential:
  “No matter where you come from, and no matter what you look like, you have the capacity to become great.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Travis T. Wade.

CEO of The Guardian, a private security corporation. The discussion focused on hiring the right people, leadership strategies, and the importance of HR in business success.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

The Importance of HR in Hiring

• Wade emphasized that HR is the backbone of any business, ensuring the right people are hired and retained.
• He shared insights on how HR principles translate into building a strong security team.

Finding the Right Employees

• The Guardian uses a conversational interview approach rather than traditional questioning.
• Wade believes that getting candidates comfortable reveals their true personality, helping assess their suitability for security roles.

Key Traits for Security Professionals

• Patience is the most important quality—impatient candidates are not a good fit for security work.
• Security officers must be calm, observant, and able to de-escalate situations rather than react impulsively.

Reducing Employee Turnover

• Wade stressed that treating employees well after hiring is just as important as selecting the right candidates.
• He shared strategies for lowering turnover by fostering a supportive work environment.

📘 About Travis T. Wade & The Guardian
Travis T. Wade is a seasoned HR professional with over 25 years of corporate experience. His company, The Guardian, operates in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina, providing armed and unarmed security, personal protection, and private investigations.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

Serial entrepreneur and founder of Maxwell, a platform focused on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), also known as tiny homes:

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To educate listeners on the growing trend of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), their practical uses, legal considerations, and how platforms like Maxwell help homeowners navigate the process of building or buying tiny homes—especially in light of new options like Amazon’s prefab homes.

🗝️ Key Takeaways

1. What Are ADUs?

   • Formerly known as tiny homes or granny flats, ADUs are small, secondary housing units built on residential properties.
   • They range from 150 to 1200 square feet and serve various purposes: rentals, studios, housing for aging parents, or personal retreats.

2. Growing Popularity

   • Driven by housing shortages and affordability issues, especially in states like California.
   • Governments are easing restrictions to allow more ADUs to be built, including San Diego’s initiative to allow unlimited ADUs if they’re affordable.

3. Use Cases

   • Rental income
   • Housing for retirees or aging parents
   • Studios (music, yoga), guest houses, or nanny quarters

4. Amazon’s Entry

   • Amazon now sells prefab two-story tiny homes under \$50,000.
   • While appealing, buyers must understand the additional costs and logistics: foundation, utilities, permits, and construction.

5. Legal & Practical Considerations

   • ADUs must be permitted and built to code to be safe and legally rentable.
   • Homeowners should consult their city’s building department before starting.
   • A certificate of occupancy is required for someone to legally live in the unit.

6. Maxwell Platform

   • Offers resources, videos, and guidance for anyone interested in building or buying ADUs.
   • Helps users find reliable contractors and understand the full scope of building an ADU.

7. Impact on Property Value

   • ADUs generally increase property value by adding rentable living space.
   • They are a viable wealth-building strategy through real estate investment.

8. Social Impact

   • ADUs could be a solution to homelessness by providing affordable housing options.
   • Cities like San Diego are already exploring this potential.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “You’re not building a Lego kit here.” — Paul Dashevsky on the complexity of constructing ADUs
• “There’s no success without sacrifice.” — Rushion McDonald, echoing the theme of entrepreneurship
• “Go down to your building department at your city and ask them what guidelines they have.” — Paul’s advice on starting an ADU project
• “If you invest in real estate… that’s a great way to build wealth.” — Paul on the financial benefits of ADUs
• “I wish America would look at the possibilities of seeing what ADUs can do for the homeless community.” — Rushion McDonald on the social potential of tiny homes

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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