Strawberry Letter

Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Crystal Victoria. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Showcase Crystal Victoria’s work in youth entrepreneurship through her nonprofit Target Evolution, Inc. Promote the Teen Biz Box, a hands-on business starter kit for kids. Inspire parents, educators, and community leaders to support alternative career paths for youth. Share Crystal’s personal journey from juvenile detention to becoming an author and entrepreneur. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Empowering Youth Through Entrepreneurship Target Evolution trains youth ages 8 to 18 to earn money and gain real-world experience. Programs include retail and culinary entrepreneurship, with plans to expand nationally starting in Dallas and Houston. 2. Teen Biz Box: A Practical Solution A $100 kit that includes everything a child needs to start a small business. Three product options: Friendship Bracelets, Craft Notebooks, and Ceramic Coasters. Kids can earn up to \$150–\$200 per box by selling customized products. 3. Alternative Pathways Matter Not all kids are tech-focused or college-bound. Entrepreneurship teaches soft skills like communication, customer service, and resilience. Victoria emphasizes the importance of in-person interaction over purely digital business models. 4. Personal Story of Redemption Crystal shares her background of being in and out of juvenile detention. Entrepreneurship gave her purpose and a way out of street life. Her journey is a testament to the power of second chances and vision-driven leadership. 5. Preparing for the Future of Work With AI and automation changing job markets, reskilling and adaptability are key. Entrepreneurship offers a mindset shift that prepares youth for career transitions every 3–5 years. 🗣️ Notable Quotes On youth entrepreneurship:“An app will never replace food and eating. We need programs for culinary and hospitality entrepreneurs.” On her personal journey:“I didn’t have a Teen Biz Box. I had trouble. But I prayed to God: ‘Give me something to do with this story.’” On accessibility:“Some kids don’t have bootstraps to pull themselves up. Let’s slide down the ladder and help them climb.” On the Teen Biz Box:“Before you spend $1,000 on your kid’s business idea, give them a box. If they sell everything, maybe they’re serious.” On preparing for the future:“Long gone are the days of one career for life. Learning, unlearning, and reskilling is the new normal.” 📦 Teen Biz Box Highlights Contents: Product inventory, art supplies, business cards, signage, and educational materials Website: TeenBizBox.com Target Age: 8–18 Goal: Teach entrepreneurship, communication, and self-reliance #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 Jim VandeHei. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview centers around: Promoting Jim VandeHei’s book Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less. Exploring how communication has evolved in the digital age. Offering practical advice for professionals, entrepreneurs, and leaders on how to communicate more effectively. Discussing the impact of technology—especially smartphones and remote work—on attention spans and messaging. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Smart Brevity Philosophy Smart Brevity is about efficient, high-quality communication. It’s not just about being short—it’s about being clear, confident, and respectful of people’s time. The idea originated from Axios’s approach to delivering news quickly and effectively. 2. The Communication Crisis The rise of smartphones and social media has overloaded people with information. Most people are distracted, checking their phones hundreds of times a day. In this chaotic environment, concise and purposeful communication wins. 3. Post-COVID Communication Shift Remote work and Zoom meetings have made written and virtual communication more critical. The pandemic changed workplace norms, making brevity and clarity essential for productivity and alignment. 4. Practical Applications VandeHei’s book is useful for business leaders, educators, students, preachers, and anyone who communicates. He emphasizes that brevity is not shallowness—it’s a sign of confidence and clarity. 5. Five Tips for Better Communication Jim outlines five actionable tips: Stop Being Selfish – Write for the reader, not yourself. Grab Me a Reason – Use strong headlines or opening lines to capture attention. Keep It Simple – Avoid jargon and complex language. Write Like a Human – Be authentic and conversational. Just Stop – Once you’ve made your point, don’t over-explain. 🗣️ Notable Quotes “Brevity is confidence. Length is fear.” “Foggy writing is a reflection of foggy thinking.” “There’s nothing shallow about being short. It’s clarifying.” “Stop writing for yourself. Start writing for the reader.” “The one thing we want to accomplish today is…” – A meeting technique to improve focus and retention. 📘 Book Highlight: Smart Brevity Co-authored by Jim VandeHei, co-founder of Axios and Politico. Offers a framework for modern communication in business, media, and personal interactions. Encourages readers to rethink how they write, speak, and present in a world of constant distraction. #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 Sonia Balfour-Fears. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Educate listeners on financial literacy, wealth building, and investment strategies. Address the Black wealth gap and how to close it through education and discipline. Encourage people of all ages and income levels to begin their financial journey. Highlight Sonia’s unique role as a financial advisor and Global Sports & Entertainment Director at Morgan Stanley. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Understanding the Black Wealth Gap Closing the gap starts with education, access, and discipline. Financial literacy must be taught early and consistently, especially in underserved communities. Sonia emphasizes engaging youth and promoting intentional financial planning. 2. Mother-Daughter Wealth Management Team Sonia and her daughter formed the first African-American mother-daughter wealth management team at Merrill Lynch. Their generational approach showed that both young and older clients seek guidance, though their goals may differ. 3. Starting Small Is Okay You don’t need $1 million to begin investing. Start with savings, build an emergency fund, then invest. Emergency fund rule: Single: 6 months of expenses Couple: 3 months of expenses 4. Investment Strategy Focus on long-term investing, not chasing “hot stocks.” Diversification is key—consider S&P 500 index funds over individual stocks. Risk tolerance matters: Aggressive = 100% equities Conservative = more fixed income (bonds) 5. Cryptocurrency & Caution Morgan Stanley offers Bitcoin only to accredited investors with \$1M+ in assets. High risk means it’s not suitable for retirement funds or small investors. 6. It’s Never Too Late to Start A caller in her 60s asked if it was too late to invest—Sonia said absolutely not. With life expectancy into the 90s, there’s still time to build wealth. 7. Dividends vs. Bonds Dividend-paying stocks now often yield more income than traditional bonds. They’re a smart option for generating income in today’s market. 🗣️ Notable Quotes “Education is the greatest component to increase the Black dollar.” “Discipline is key—just like waking up early or exercising daily.” “Start where you are. If it’s $100 a month, start there.” “It’s never too late. If you’re 60, you still have 30 years to invest.” “Don’t chase hot stocks. Invest when the market is down, not at all-time highs.” “Risk tolerance is like gambling—are you on the penny slots or betting it all on black?” 👤 About Sonia Balfour-Fears Financial Advisor and Global Sports & Entertainment Director at Morgan Stanley. One of fewer than 2% of Morgan Stanley advisors with this designation. Advocate for financial literacy, especially in Black communities. Pioneer of the first African-American mother-daughter wealth management team. #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 Dr. Schenta D. Randolph. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To spotlight Dr. Randolph’s work as a nurse scientist, her leadership of the HEET Lab, and her efforts to address health inequities—especially HIV prevention—in Black communities in the U.S. South. The interview also aims to educate listeners on the broader scope of nursing, the importance of representation, and systemic challenges in healthcare. 🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Dr. Randolph’s Background HBCU graduate from North Carolina A&T. Associate Professor at Duke University School of Nursing. Founding Director of the HEET Lab (Health Equity through Engagement, Advocacy, and Trust). 2. The Role of Nurse Scientists Nurse scientists conduct research to develop evidence-based interventions. Less than 1% of nurse scientists are Black. Nursing extends beyond bedside care into entrepreneurship, behavioral science, and public health. 3. HEET Lab Mission Focuses on HIV prevention among Black women and young Black men. Engages communities through partnerships with beauty salons, barbershops, and nonprofits. Funded by NIH and other foundations, with a $4.4 million grant for HIV prevention research. 4. Health Inequities in the South Higher HIV rates in the Southern U.S. due to systemic racism, lack of access to care, and population density. Social determinants of health (e.g., education, food deserts, redlining) contribute to disparities. 5. Systemic Racism & Denial in Healthcare Systemic racism creates barriers in healthcare access and delivery. Denial within the Black community about health issues (e.g., HIV, obesity, diabetes) is often rooted in distrust of the healthcare system. 6. The Role of the Church & Messaging Churches can be powerful platforms for health education but often stigmatize HIV. Messaging around HIV prevention (e.g., PrEP) often excludes Black women, leading to low adoption. 7. Mentorship & Representation Dr. Randolph co-founded Black PhD Nurse Scientists to mentor future scholars. Conducts HBCU tours to expose nursing students to research careers. Only 3 of 33 HBCU nursing schools offer PhD programs—highlighting a gap in academic pathways. 💬 Notable Quotes “Nursing is so much more than the bedside.” “Less than 1% of nurse scientists are Black.” “HEET stands for Health Equity through Engagement, Advocacy, and Trust.” “Representation matters. I became a nurse because I saw a Black woman who looked like me.” “We are truly our brother and our sister’s keeper.” “We have to advance our own health and be opinion leaders.” “This means more to me than my New England Journal of Medicine article.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Strawberry Letter heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show Thursday, December 18th, 2025. Subject: "Trapped Under The Bed"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.