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

She is the founder of Grow Give Prosper, and discusses her nonprofit’s mission to provide financial education and career opportunities through partnerships like Grow with Google.

🔑 Key Themes & Highlights

1. The Mission Behind Grow Give Prosper

   • Lester founded the nonprofit to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively.
   • She focuses on financial literacy, career development, and economic empowerment.

2. Partnership with Grow with Google

   • Provides career certification scholarships in cybersecurity, data analytics, digital marketing, IT support, project management, and UX design.
   • Scholarships are free and open to individuals across the U.S., requiring only a commitment to complete the program.

3. Breaking Barriers in Financial Education

   • Lester noticed that financial struggles affect people regardless of education level.
   • She aims to make financial literacy accessible and understandable for all.

4. Boots-on-the-Ground Outreach

   • Personally visits community centers, adult education classes, and underserved areas to spread awareness.
   • Actively engages with individuals to encourage participation in career certification programs.

5. Overcoming Skepticism & Challenges

   • Some people initially doubt the legitimacy of free scholarships.
   • Lester emphasizes that Google certifications are recognized by employers and can lead to high-paying jobs.

📘 About Cassandra Lester
Cassandra Lester is a financial literacy advocate and nonprofit leader dedicated to helping individuals build wealth through education and career advancement. Her organization, Grow Give Prosper, provides resources to underserved communities, ensuring they have access to life-changing opportunities.

#BEST

#STRAW

#SHMS

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

CEO of Collaborative Training Company (CTC)

🧩 Main Topics Covered 🏢 What CTC Does

• CTC is a professional services consulting firm focused on workforce development.
• They help companies:
  • Upskill employees for career advancement.
  • Support new hires, especially those without traditional corporate experience.
  • Define what “fit” means in their organization and help new hires acclimate.

👥 Not a Staffing Firm

• CTC does not do individual job placement or talent coaching.
• They work with companies after hiring to ensure employee success and retention.
• They partner with organizations that provide individual coaching.

🧠 Bridging the Corporate Culture Gap

• CTC helps new hires from non-corporate backgrounds (e.g., warehouse, retail) adjust to corporate environments.
• They use mentorship programs and employee resource groups to support retention.

🤖 AI and the Future of Work

• Brenda sees AI as a tool, not a replacement for human creativity.
• She emphasizes the importance of adding a personal touch to AI-generated work.
• AI may replace some jobs, but it also creates new roles in programming, maintenance, and oversight.

🎓 Rethinking the Four-Year Degree

• Many companies are removing degree requirements to widen their talent pool.
• Brenda helps companies:
  • Reevaluate outdated job descriptions.
  • Focus on skills-based hiring.
  • Identify core competencies rather than relying on degrees.

🌍 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

• Brenda challenges the narrow view of DEI as only race and gender.
• She expands the definition to include:
  • Neurodiversity (e.g., autism)
  • Generational diversity
  • Accessibility needs
  • LGBTQ+ inclusion
• She stresses that companies that embrace true diversity will thrive, while those clinging to outdated models may struggle.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Mentorship and support are critical for retention and success.
• AI is a complement, not a replacement, for human insight.
• Skills-based hiring is the future—degrees are not always necessary.
• True diversity is broad and essential for business success.
• Systemic change requires questioning legacy practices and recruiting strategies.

🔗 Contact Info

• Website: ctcdui.com
• LinkedIn: Collaborative Training Company

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST #AMI

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

President and CEO of the Greater Washington Urban League, to discuss economic empowerment, diversity, and the ongoing fight for equity in Black communities.

With decades of leadership in the nonprofit and civil rights space, George shares insights on gentrification, financial inclusion, Black entrepreneurship, and the need for corporate accountability in DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts. He highlights how the Urban League is actively working to remove economic barriers by supporting Black businesses, advocating for fair banking practices, and providing career development opportunities.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, community leader, or someone looking to understand the business of social change, this episode is packed with game-changing insights on how to push forward in the fight for financial and political empowerment. Tune in to learn how to be part of the movement for true economic equity!

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

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

Topic: Her book Beyond the Chair and life after the beauty industry.

🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways:

1. Purpose of the Book – "Beyond the Chair"

• The book is a guide for professionals, especially in the beauty industry, who are seeking to transition into new roles or careers.
• It addresses fear, personal growth, and the importance of stepping out of comfort zones.

1. Lisa’s Journey

• Lisa spent 35 years in the beauty industry.
• She experienced physical tolls from the job, including lung issues and back injuries, partly due to prolonged exposure to chemicals like relaxers and hair product fumes.
• A back injury in 2012 forced her to leave the industry at age 50.

1. Health & Safety in the Beauty Industry

• Lisa highlighted the dangers of chemical exposure and lack of protective measures (e.g., not using gloves).
• She emphasized the need for awareness about long-term health risks for stylists and barbers.

1. Faith and Planning

• Lisa credits her faith and careful financial planning (savings, insurance, retirement funds) for enabling her smooth transition.
• She encourages others to prepare financially and spiritually for life changes.

1. Overcoming Fear

• Fear is a major barrier to change. Lisa stresses the importance of faith, belief in oneself, and having a support system.
• She quotes scripture and shares motivational insights to inspire others to move “beyond the chair.”

1. Broader Message

• The book is not just for beauty professionals—it’s for anyone feeling stuck in a role or phase of life.
• Everyone has a “chair” they need to move beyond.

1. Technology & AI

• Lisa discusses the role of social media in the beauty industry.
• She shares a humorous anecdote about AI and plagiarism concerns in her ministry training.

1. Writing Process

• The book took two years to complete, with interruptions due to health issues.
• Lisa relied on faith and perseverance to finish it.

1. SMART Goals & Retreats

• She advocates for setting SMART goals and writing things down to stay focused.
• A retreat experience helped her reflect and clarify her purpose.

📚 Where to Find the Book:

• Available on Amazon.
• Search for Beyond the Chair by Lisa Hankins.
• #BEST
• #STRAW
• #SHMS

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Friday, July 25th, 2025. Subject: "I Am Getting Weaker By The Minute"

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Thursday, July 24th, 2025. Subject: "My Husband Leaves His Phone At Home"

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The Strawberry Letter for Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025. Subject: "Is His Girlfriend Still Mad He Left?"

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The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Subject: "My Daughter's Husband"

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