Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Holly Cotton (breast cancer survivor, nurse, author) and Dewayne Charleston (stage 4 prostate cancer survivor). Topic: Raising awareness and eliminating disparities in Black men’s health, especially prostate cancer. 2. Holly Cotton’s Story Breast cancer survivor and nurse with a master’s degree. Author of Strong More Than Muscles. Uses her survivorship to inspire others and promote health awareness. Advocates for being a “life survivor,” not just a cancer survivor. 3. Rushion McDonald’s Personal Experience Thyroid cancer survivor since 2015. Shares how the diagnosis changed his perspective on life and purpose. Uses his platform to raise awareness and encourage proactive health decisions. 4. Dwayne’s Journey Diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer at age 46. All 16 biopsy samples came back positive. Told by MD Anderson urologist Dr. Lewis Sisler that only prayer could help. Fought cancer for 14 years and founded a prostate cancer awareness foundation. 5. Foundation Mission Educates Black men on prostate cancer, clinical trials, and health disparities. Addresses emotional, sexual, financial, and relational impacts of cancer. Aims to break silence and stigma around men’s health issues. 6. Breast Cancer Awareness vs. Prostate Cancer Awareness Holly explains the success of “Go Pink” campaigns for breast cancer. Dewayne and Holly aim to replicate that success with “Go Blue” for prostate cancer. Goal: Encourage men to prioritize their own health and get tested. 7. Community Impact Importance of storytelling and visibility at events like HBCU games. Emphasis on legacy, education, and proactive health care. Holly and Dewayne’s collaboration bridges gender and cancer awareness gaps. 8. Closing Rushon thanks guests for their advocacy and friendship. Encourages listeners to lead with their gifts and keep winning. 💡 Key Takeaways Cancer is not a death sentence—early detection and support can save lives. Black men face the highest disparity in prostate cancer diagnoses and deaths. Storytelling and visibility are powerful tools for health education. Foundations and community events can drive awareness and action. Men must prioritize their own health, not just encourage women to get checked. Faith, support, and education are critical in the cancer journey. 🗣️ Notable Quotes “I am a life survivor, not just a cancer survivor.” — Holly Cotton “God is still in the healing business.” — Dr. Lewis Sisler (quoted by Dewayne) “Don’t ever wait to that moment to make changes in your life.” — Rushion McDonald “Tuskegee was not a clinical trial—it was a criminal conspiracy.” — Dewayne “We want those men to also be worried about their own health and have resources.” — Holly Cotton “Of all the disparities in cancer, the greatest is in prostate cancer among Black men.” — Dewayne #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Suli Salaam. The founder of Paint Your Heaven, on Money Making Conversations Masterclass. Here’s a breakdown of the key topics, highlights, and an about section: Key Themes & Highlights Origins of Paint Your Heaven Salaam explains the inspiration behind the company name, emphasizing the power of vision and positive thinking. He shares how the phrase Paint Your Heaven motivated him at 22 years old to pursue entrepreneurship. Full-Stack Development Expertise Salaam discusses his skills as a full-stack developer, differentiating his work from basic web design. He explains the importance of front-end and back-end development, particularly in creating complex applications like Uber. Challenges & Representation in Tech He highlights the lack of Black full-stack developers and attributes it to self-belief and limited exposure. He shares his personal journey growing up in a challenging neighborhood and how his mother and a supportive teacher encouraged him. AI & Software Innovation Salaam discusses his company’s use of AI and APIs to enhance software development. He reveals a project aimed at simplifying audio production, allowing users to clean up sound with one-click technology. Entrepreneurial Advice & Community Impact He encourages young people to embrace change and pursue careers in programming and AI. His company aims to serve businesses worldwide while also promoting positive thinking in inner-city communities. About Suli Salaam & Paint Your Heaven Suli Salaam is a full-stack developer and entrepreneur based in Kansas City. His company, Paint Your Heaven, specializes in web, app, and software design and development. The company combines technical expertise with creative design, making it a valuable resource for businesses looking to scale. Beyond business, Salaam is passionate about mentoring young people, promoting positive thinking, and helping communities embrace technology. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kika Wise. Kika Wise is a former professional dancer turned entrepreneur, franchisor, and wellness educator. As a forward-thinking and innovative visionary, Kika is the Founder and CEO of Kika Stretch Studios, one of the nation’s leading stretch and fitness studios. Keeping yourself fit and flexible is an important trait in your everyday life. “Wait a minute…. are you referring to business or exercise?” Well, in this scenario, it’s both as entrepreneur and fitness instructor Kika Wise can attest. She’s here to discuss franchising: how to set it up, how to handle economic hardship, how to deal with naysayers, and the important factors to consider before you even begin thinking about turning your business into a franchise. For those interested in owning or running your own franchise one day, especially in an industry that isn’t known for franchising, this interview is a must-listen. #AMI #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Wednesday, December 31st, 2025. Subject: "He Said, She Said"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Elliot Holland. The managing partner of Guardian Due Diligence. Here’s a breakdown of the key topics and highlights: Key Themes & Highlights Buying Small Businesses vs. Franchises Holland explains the differences between purchasing a franchise and acquiring an independent business. He highlights the risk-reward balance, noting that franchises offer a structured model, while independent businesses can be more lucrative but require deeper due diligence. Financial Strategies for Business Acquisition He discusses the SBA 7(a) loan program, which allows buyers to acquire businesses with 90-95% financing, making ownership more accessible. Holland explains how leveraging financing can turn a small investment into a million-dollar business. Due Diligence & Avoiding Bad Deals He emphasizes the importance of financial diligence to ensure buyers don’t acquire failing businesses. Holland shares red flags to watch for, such as misleading financials and sellers masking poor performance. Masterclass for First-Time Buyers Holland introduces his Business Buying Masterclass, designed to educate entrepreneurs on the acquisition process. He provides one-on-one coaching, helping buyers navigate financing, negotiations, and deal structuring. Success Stories & Case Studies He shares examples of clients who successfully acquired businesses, including a 24-year-old entrepreneur and a 60-year-old investor. Holland highlights how his expertise helped buyers secure financing, conduct due diligence, and close profitable deals. About Elliot Holland & Guardian Due Diligence Elliot Holland is a Harvard MBA, private equity investor, and business acquisition expert. He founded Guardian Due Diligence to help first-time buyers confidently purchase profitable businesses. His firm specializes in financial diligence, ensuring buyers make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Through his masterclass and consulting, Holland empowers entrepreneurs to build wealth through business ownership. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.