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 Kevin Cohee.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aimed to:

• Highlight OneUnited Bank’s mission as the largest Black-owned and first Black-owned internet bank in America.
• Educate listeners on financial literacy, technology-driven banking, and economic empowerment in underserved communities.
• Promote OneUnited Bank’s products and services as solutions for financial challenges faced by Black Americans and others lacking access to traditional banking.

Key Takeaways

1. Historical Context & Mission

   • The concept of a national Black-owned bank dates back to leaders like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Martin Luther King Jr., who emphasized economic empowerment.
   • OneUnited Bank was formed through acquisitions and later pivoted to technology-driven banking.

2. Technology & Innovation

   • OneUnited embraced AI and data aggregation over a decade ago to create products that help customers understand assets, liabilities, and net worth in real time.
   • Banking has shifted from physical branches to digital platforms, enabling nationwide access.

3. Financial Literacy Crisis

   • 90% of Americans lack financial literacy, largely because it’s not taught in schools.
   • Cohee advocates for mandatory K–12 financial literacy education, citing studies showing it can add $126,000 to lifetime net worth.

4. Products Designed for Real Needs

   • CashPlease: Short-term emergency loans at affordable rates.
   • Second Chance Checking: Helps rebuild credit.
   • Savings Programs: Often in collaboration with employers.
   • These products address real-life challenges like low emergency savings and predatory check-cashing fees.

5. Accessibility & Reach

   • OneUnited offers nationwide banking via oneunited.com, surcharge-free ATMs, and partnerships with major networks.
   • Customers can deposit checks online and access services without visiting physical branches.

6. Economic Empowerment

   • Technology enables entrepreneurship without owning physical products—leveraging branding and e-commerce.
   • Cohee draws parallels between today’s tech opportunities and the historical wealth-building of Black Wall Street.

Notable Quotes

• “We are FDIC insured, commercial bank like them. The only difference is we’re smarter and we have better technology.”
• “Technology and AI allow anyone to make decisions like they were an expert.”
• “If we taught financial literacy in schools, it would create over $100,000 in net worth per person over their lifetime.”
• “You don’t have to go to check cashers and get ripped off. Just go to oneunited.com.”
• “We’ve been working on AI for over a decade. We’re not coming to the party—we are the party.”
• “Our generation has technology and communication skills. We can change society.”

#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 Sharise Nance.

Purpose of the Interview

• To showcase Sharise Nance’s mission in mental health advocacy, entrepreneurship, and workplace wellness.
• To discuss her companies:
  • Hand in Hand Counseling Services – addressing mental health disparities in Black communities.
  • Vitamin C Healing – building trauma-sensitive, wellness-centered workplace cultures.
• To educate on stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, and financial equity in the mental health field.

Key Takeaways

1. Hand in Hand Counseling Services

   • Founded with college roommate Tess Kenny in Pittsburgh.
   • Created a safe space for mental health support in underserved communities.
   • Celebrating 12 years in operation.

2. Breaking Mental Health Stigma

   • Built trust through community presence and transparency.
   • Advocated therapy as normal: “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
   • Education on what therapy is and isn’t.

3. Understanding Stress

   • Eustress (positive stress) vs. Distress (overwhelming stress).
   • Physical signs: sweating, rapid heartbeat, tense shoulders, jaw clenching.
   • Stress can lead to depression and anxiety—seek professional help.

4. Impact of COVID-19

   • Isolation amplified mental health issues.
   • Introduced concept of co-regulation—healing through community and connection.

5. Vitamin C Healing

   • Originated from her book Vitamin C Healing for the Mind, Body.
   • Evolved into a brand offering workshops, consultations, and burnout assessments.
   • Focused on helping professionals and leaders prevent compassion fatigue.

6. Financial Equity in Mental Health

   • Advocates for fair pay: “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
   • Challenges the mindset that passion work means low income.
   • Encourages professionals to set boundaries and value their expertise.

7. Burnout & Organizational Cost

   • Unaddressed burnout costs companies millions annually.
   • Leads to quiet quitting, low productivity, and high turnover.
   • Investing in wellness saves money and improves culture.

8. Personal Journey

   • Biggest bet: leaving full-time job in 2017 to pursue entrepreneurship.
   • Therapy helped her navigate fear and grief (especially after losing her father).
   • Quote: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

Notable Quotes

• “We can care deeply and earn abundantly.”
• “I’m a therapist who has a therapist.”
• “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
• “We heal when we are in community—it’s hard to heal in isolation.”
• “Compassion fatigue isn’t just a feel-good topic; it costs companies millions.”
• “Betting on myself was the best investment I ever made.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.