Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Rhonda Spratt.
Founder of Bella Duvet Goes Pink, a Georgia‑based breast cancer awareness nonprofit inspired by her mother’s battle with metastatic breast cancer. Rhonda explains how her mother’s passing drove her to build a year‑round awareness and support organization specifically focused on ensuring women stay vigilant outside of October. She discusses early detection, the emotional and physical realities of breast cancer, the creation of her “Pink Box” care packages, her personal journey of healing, and how she balances nonprofit work with a full‑time commercial real estate career and active lifestyle.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aimed to:
1. Spotlight Bella Duvet Goes Pink
A nonprofit dedicated to breast cancer awareness, education, and providing care boxes to women undergoing treatment.
2. Emphasize the importance of year‑round breast cancer advocacy
Rhonda advocates that breast cancer isn’t an “October thing”—women are diagnosed every day, and early detection saves lives.
3. Share her personal story of loss, purpose, and healing
Her mother’s death from metastatic breast cancer inspired her to transform grief into action.
4. Educate listeners on early detection, mammograms, stages of breast cancer, and survivor needs
She clarifies differences between stages, importance of mammograms, and the emotional impact of mastectomies.
5. Encourage community involvement and proper nonprofit management
She discusses partnerships, consistency, the need for help, and how small nonprofits can sustain support.
💡 Key Takeaways
1. Early Detection Saves Lives
Rhonda stresses that breast cancer does not wait for October, and survival rates dramatically increase with early detection.
Monthly breast self‑exams
Annual mammograms
Awareness of breast cancer’s year‑round risk [
She mentions that early detection offers up to a 99% survival rate over five years.
2. Stages and Types of Breast Cancer Matter
She distinguishes between early‑stage breast cancer and metastatic breast cancer, which her mother had.
Stage 1 = high survival
Stage 4 (metastatic) = significantly reduced survival [
Her mother survived more than 10 years after the first diagnosis but did not keep up with mammograms the second time, leading to late detection. [
3. Personal Loss Became a Mission
Rhonda created her nonprofit to honor her mother and provide the support items they wish they had at the time:
Mastectomy bras
Moisturizing skin care
Aluminum‑free deodorant
Ginger tea for chemo nausea
Motivational items & journals [They have already supported 76 women nationwide.
4. The Pink Box: A Personal, Tailored Care Package
Each box is customized based on a woman’s treatment:
Bra size
Cancer stage
Whether they've had a mastectomy
Product needs
It takes 4–6 weeks to deliver and can be requested online.
5. The Emotional Impact of Breast Cancer is Deep and Often Hidden
Rhonda explains that losing breasts can feel like losing part of one's womanhood.
Women may struggle with:
Body image
Confidence
Relationship shifts
Emotional turmoil [
She confirms that the bra included in the Pink Box is one of the most essential and empowering items.
6. Running a Nonprofit is Real Work—Consistency & Partnership Are Key
She warns new founders:
Getting a 501(c)(3) is easy; running it isn’t.
You must ask for help and build partnerships.
Organizations that believe in the mission must be prioritized for long‑term sustainability.
7. Self‑Care Is Essential for Those Who Care for Others
She admits the emotional weight of supporting women fighting for their lives.
Her coping strategies:
Yoga 3–4 times/week
Walking and outdoor activities
Intentional personal time
8. Golf and Wellness Are Part of Rhonda’s Foundation
She learned golf during Covid and now uses it as a personal escape, a wellness practice, and a platform for outreach via golf clinics.
9. Real Awareness Requires Year‑Round Outreach
Rhonda actively participates in wellness expos, community events, corporate outreach, and social media messaging to keep breast cancer education going beyond October.
🗣 Notable Quotes (with citations) On early detection
“Consistency is what increases the survival rate of breast cancer.”
“The five‑year survival rate is 99% when detected early.” [On her mother’s cancer journey
“She survived over 10 years the first time… the second time, she didn’t schedule her mammogram.”
On why year‑round awareness matters
“Breast cancer doesn’t wait until October to be diagnosed. Women are diagnosed every day.”
On the emotional impact
“Losing your breasts is like losing a part of yourself… part of your womanhood.”
On creating the Pink Box
“These are things I wish we had had when my mom was going through her breast cancer.”
On healing through helping
“It is very healing… I get joy from helping other women as they go through their healing journey.”
On nonprofit management
“You have to ask for help… partnerships and sponsorships matter.”
On awareness fatigue
“People move on to the next holiday or event. Breast cancer has become desensitized.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Heather R. Younger.
CEO, workplace culture expert, author, and founder of a major employee engagement consultancy—joins Rushion McDonald to discuss leadership, employee empowerment, navigating fear, and self‑leadership in modern workplaces.
She shares her personal experiences with layoffs, career uncertainty, anxiety, and leadership failures—and how these experiences shaped her mission to be “the voice for the voiceless” in organizational culture. They explore the emotional realities of layoffs vs. terminations, how employees can take control of their professional well‑being, and Heather’s framework for identifying and overcoming fear.
PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEW 1. To introduce Heather’s work and mission
She champions active listening, employee empowerment, and self‑leadership after personally reading 30,000+ employee surveys and leading 100+ focus groups.
2. To teach listeners how to navigate workplace uncertainty
She provides strategies for dealing with anxiety, job insecurity, change, and inconsistent leadership climates.
3. To share an empowering message about self‑leadership
Central idea: No one is coming to save you. You must lead yourself first.
4. To explore how fear holds people back professionally
She outlines how fear affects decision‑making, action-taking, and confidence.
KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Why She Does This Work
She witnessed firsthand how mergers, layoffs, and poor communication harm employees.
After being laid off with 200+ others, she realized she needed to become the “voice of reason” who turns employee concerns into actionable insights for leaders.
2. Layoff vs. Termination — Emotional Differences
Layoffs: painful but less shame; not personal fault.
Termination: usually involves personal accountability, and often carries more shame.
Both create a feeling of powerlessness, but each requires emotional processing and reframing.
3. No One Is Coming To Save You
Employees must take responsibility for:
Their growth
Their mental health
Their career progression
Their emotional well‑being
HR cannot save you, Heather says—they play a dual role and cannot be personal rescuers.
4. Managing Workplace Anxiety
Key strategies include:
Nightly reflection → Write down what went well and what you controlled.
Reframing → Turning irrational fears into rational thoughts.
Breathing, sunlight, walking, self‑care → Especially for anxiety.
Intentional mindset‑switching → Choosing thoughts that serve you.
5. The Five Ways Fear Holds You Back Professionally
Heather identifies several fear patterns:
1. Fear of Feedback
Avoiding action because you’re afraid of what others may say.
2. Fear of Retribution / Getting in Trouble
Hesitating to take risks or initiative.
3. Fear of Speaking Up
Not challenging authority or expressing dissenting opinions due to lack of psychological safety.
4. Fear Rooted in Family / Cultural Conditioning
Inherited fear patterns from parents, grandparents, or trauma.
5. Fear of Regret / Non‑Action
She teaches a powerful question:
“What will I regret the longest—doing the thing or not doing the thing?”
This question accelerates decision‑making and breaks the paralysis of fear.
6. Take Ownership of Your Life — Self‑Leadership
Become the Chief Iterator of Your Life → Continue refining yourself like a living prototype.
Accept mistakes as part of growth.
Avoid perfectionism; aim for continuous improvement.
7. Practical Daily Habits
Prepare mentally each night.
Hydrate, sleep well, move your body.
Train yourself to take small positive actions daily.
NOTABLE QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW On Self‑Leadership
“Ain’t nobody coming to save me. And in the workplace, no one’s coming to save you.”
On Fear
“Feedback is a gift—even if it hurts.”
“We sit around waiting for green lights, access, invitations… It’s not coming. We need to seize it.”
“What is the thing you will regret the longest—doing it or not doing it?”
On Navigating Change
“You get to fight tooth and nail for your own mental space.”
On Personal Growth
“See yourself as a work in progress—a constant iteration.”
On Workplace Emotions
“With layoffs, you didn’t have a hand in it. With termination, there’s more shame.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Valerie Obaze.
Founder of R&R Skincare.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
Highlight Valerie Obaze’s entrepreneurial journey in founding R&R Skincare.
Challenge stereotypes about Africa’s capabilities and resources.
Promote African-made beauty products and their global relevance.
Inspire others, especially women and diaspora Africans, to invest in and build businesses rooted in African heritage.
🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Breaking African Stereotypes
Valerie and Rushion discuss how Africa is often misrepresented in Western media.
Valerie emphasizes that ignorance is not always malicious, but it’s time to reframe the narrative through firsthand experience and platforms like social media.
“Ignorance doesn’t always have to be an insult. If you don’t know, you just don’t know better.” – Valerie Obaze
2. The Birth of R&R Skincare
Inspired by the birth of her daughter, Valerie sought natural skincare solutions.
She discovered liquid shea oil, which became her first product.
The brand name “R&R” stands for Rebecca Rose (her daughter’s name) and also Rest & Relaxation.
“I wanted to create a product that makes using these raw materials from the continent enjoyable.” – Valerie Obaze
3. From Garage to Global
Valerie started in her mother-in-law’s garage, turning it into a compliant mini factory.
She had no formal business plan, relying on her PR and branding background.
The brand now has three stores: one in Lagos and two in Accra, including one at the airport.
4. Authenticity and African Pride
Valerie insists on maintaining the African identity of her brand.
She uses locally sourced ingredients and ensures cruelty-free testing.
The brand supports women in the supply chain, creating economic opportunities.
“We don’t intend to hide that in any way. We just wanted to make raw materials sexy.” – Valerie Obaze
5. Expansion to the U.S.
Valerie is expanding R&R Skincare to the U.S., leveraging social media, activations, and PR expertise.
Products are manufactured in Africa, but distributed from U.S. warehouses to ensure timely delivery.
“We found our tribe over here… and this was the right time to come back to America.” – Valerie Obaze
🧴 Product Highlights
Shea Oil – First product, moisturizing and healing.
Body Butter – Whipped, light, and rich in essential oils.
Liquid Black Soap – Modern take on traditional African cleansing.
Hand Cream – Convenient and portable for dry conditions.
🌍 Big Picture Vision
Valerie’s goal is to grow an African brand globally, showcasing the richness of African resources and empowering local economies.
“This is just a small representative of the entire continent and what it is capable of.” – Valerie Obaze
#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
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brianna Johnson.
A dynamic entrepreneur and founder of Legend Life Financial. Here's a breakdown of the key highlights and insights from the episode:
🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Early Entrepreneurship
By age 22, Brianna owned two clothing stores and a hair salon in Chicago.
Inspired by her father, a long-time financial services professional, she developed a strong entrepreneurial spirit early on.
2. Transition to Financial Services
At 24, she pivoted into financial services, initially resistant to the idea due to its lack of “cool” appeal.
She passed her state licensing exam and is now licensed in over 30 states.
Her company, Legend Life Financial, focuses on life insurance and financial education.
3. Insurance Education & Transparency
Brianna emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between: Term Life Insurance: Affordable, fixed for a set term (e.g., 20–30 years), but can increase if it's an annual renewable term.
Whole Life Insurance: Permanent, more expensive, builds cash value slowly.
Indexed Universal Life (IUL): Tied to stock market performance with capped gains and protected downside.
Universal Life: Flexible premiums, moderate cash value growth.
Final Expense Policies: For individuals with health or legal issues, typically lower coverage.

4. Client Advocacy
She stresses the need to ask questions like “What type of policy is this?” and to avoid blindly trusting agents—especially those who may not stay in the business long-term.
She follows up with clients regularly and educates them on evolving insurance needs.
5. Mentorship & Impact
Brianna has mentored over 250 life insurance agents and served more than 5,000 families.
She’s passionate about empowering people of color through financial literacy and entrepreneurship.
💬 Notable Quotes
“Fear is just false expectations appearing real.”
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.”
“You don’t have to work more to make more—you just have to work smarter.”
📍 Contact & Resources
Website: LegendLife.com (spelled with a “Z” – LegzendLife.com)
Phone: (312) 768-3604
Social Media: @BriannaKaylaJ on all platforms
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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