
Uplift: From a slave to oldest minority woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the U.S.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cheryl McKissack Daniels, Topic: Legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurship of the McKissack family, as detailed in the book The Black Family Who Built America. Cheryl shares the powerful story of her family's 230-year legacy in architecture and construction, making McKissack & McKissack the oldest minority woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the U.S. The conversation explores themes of generational resilience, Black excellence, business strategy, and personal growth. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview Highlight the McKissack family’s historical and cultural impact on American infrastructure and Black entrepreneurship. Promote the book The Black Family Who Built America as a record of legacy and inspiration. Inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs with lessons on perseverance, succession planning, and self-identity. Address the importance of preserving Black history in the face of cultural erasure. 🔑 Key Takeaways 🏗️ Legacy & Impact McKissack & McKissack has contributed to major U.S. infrastructure projects like: Barclays Center JFK Terminal One LaGuardia Airport Penn Station Lincoln Financial Field “We are the fifth generation. Right. And we're Black in America.” 📚 Historical Significance The family legacy began with Moses McKissack, who was enslaved and later became a builder. Cheryl’s ancestors were the first licensed Black architects in America (licenses 117 and 118 in Tennessee). “They became the first Black licensed architects in America… and helped get licensed in 22 other states.” 💼 Business Wisdom Cheryl emphasizes the importance of: Succession planning Understanding both technical and political buyers Building relationships before you need them “You better have that relationship before you need it.” 🧠 The 5 Ps of Family Resilience Perseverance Persistence Preparedness Purpose Prayer “Sometimes you do get up in the morning and you say it's not for me… You have to come back and meditate on the fact that you're a winner.” 🧘♀️ Personal Growth & Mental Health Cheryl discusses overcoming stress, rediscovering herself after a difficult marriage, and the importance of meditation. “Being yourself is what we're talking about… I recognize that I am currently feeling stressed out. So what do I need to do?” 👩👧👧 Women in Leadership Cheryl’s mother took over the business after her father’s stroke, despite societal barriers. “She only knew the telephone number to the office at that time… but she knew deep inside that she wanted to hold on for the fifth generation.” 🎥 Representation & Media The book and Cheryl’s story aim to counteract negative portrayals of Black people in media and history. “You may not have known about Black excellence. You just ignored it. But we exist.” 💬 Memorable Quotes “Black people built America. Now, that's the point we're making here.” “You have to say the opposite to yourself. And you have to put one foot in front of the other.” “This book is a receipt to say we are around. We have a foundation. We're not going anywhere.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Syys 37min

Uplift: Innovative approach to solving food deserts, the world’s first Black-owned autonomous grocery store.
Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jamie and Jilea Hemmings. Business: Nourish + Bloom MarketClaim to Fame: The world’s first Black-owned autonomous grocery store 🧭 Purpose of the Interview To spotlight the Hemmings’ innovative approach to solving food insecurity through technology, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment. The interview explores their journey from corporate careers to tech entrepreneurs and retail disruptors, emphasizing their mission to eliminate food deserts and build generational wealth. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Mission-Driven Innovation Nourish + Bloom Market was born from a personal need for healthier food options for their autistic son. Their stores use AI-powered, frictionless checkout to provide 24/7 access to fresh food in underserved areas. 2. Tech Meets Purpose Despite no formal tech training, they developed two scheduling platforms (for cannabis and pharma) before launching their grocery concept. They became the first in the U.S. to accept EBT/SNAP in an autonomous store environment. 3. Family & Legacy The Hemmings are raising three children and caring for an aging parent while running their business. Their children are involved in operations, reinforcing the idea of building legacy in real time. 4. Community Empowerment They focus on dignity in access, ensuring that all customers, regardless of income, can shop equally. They support local farms and promote workforce innovation to prepare communities for the tech economy. 💬 Notable Quotes “They are the visionary co-founders of Nourish + Bloom Market, the world’s first Black-owned, autonomous grocery store.” “Driven by a mission to eliminate food deserts and empower underserved communities.” “We’re building legacy in real time.” “Just because you need assistance doesn’t mean you should lose dignity.” “AI is here. It’s not going anywhere.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Syys 35min

Building Your Brand: Filing bankruptcy led her to rebuild her financial knowledge and be an advocate for financial literacy.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ashley Joi Boyd. A Grammy-nominated songwriter, music producer, real estate developer, and author of Financially Fly: Mastering Money and Wealth for Women. Ashley shares her journey from co-writing Justin Bieber’s hit “Yummy” to overcoming bankruptcy and becoming a financial literacy advocate. The conversation explores the music business, financial empowerment, generational wealth, and the importance of mindset and self-investment. 🧭 Key Points 🎵 Music Industry & Songwriting Ashley is a co-writer of Justin Bieber’s “Yummy” and has worked on multiple albums. She emphasizes the importance of publishing rights and owning your work. Songwriting is a spiritual and intuitive process for her, not reliant on playing instruments. 💰 Financial Journey & Bankruptcy Filed for bankruptcy during the 2008 housing crash. The experience led her to rebuild her financial knowledge and become an advocate for financial literacy. She now owns a music publishing company and is a real estate developer. 📘 Book: Financially Fly Written to empower women to take control of their finances. Encourages open conversations about money, especially in communities where it’s taboo. Focuses on mindset, structure, and generational wealth. 🏠 Real Estate Development Developed rental properties in Los Angeles. Aspires to build affordable housing in Detroit. Passionate about design and creating sustainable housing solutions. 💡 Financial Tips Invest in yourself: Treat yourself as a line item in your budget. Portion your income: Prioritize savings like a bill. Build habits: Small sacrifices now lead to long-term gains. Generational wealth: Structure your finances with trusts, insurance, and estate planning. 💬 Notable Quotes “Songwriting is the heart and soul of a song. It’s what makes it memorable.” “Just because you know how to make money doesn’t mean you know how to maintain or grow it.” “Generational wealth means your family doesn’t need outside help to survive.” “Invest in yourself. Put your name on the bill list and don’t miss that payment.” “You deserve everything you desire. Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance.” “You can use the truth about your finances as a stepping stone—not a setback.” “The alarm clock isn’t waking you up—God is. Have a plan for your day.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Syys 24min

Overcoming the Odds: Shares her journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, her battle with cancer, and empowering others.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Holly Cotton. A wellness expert, registered nurse, bestselling author, breast cancer survivor, and life coach. Holly shares her journey from nursing to entrepreneurship, her battle with breast cancer, and her mission to empower others through holistic wellness and mental health advocacy. The conversation is rich with personal insights, practical advice, and motivational takeaways. 🧭 Key Points 👩⚕️ Nursing & Career Evolution Holly holds a master’s degree in nursing and has worked in various roles including management and teaching. She emphasizes that nursing is more than bedside care—there are many non-clinical paths like education, management, and sales. 💡 Holistic Lifestyle Philosophy Holly defines a holistic lifestyle as the balance of mental, physical, spiritual, and financial health. She believes financial health is often overlooked but is essential to overall well-being. 🧠 Mental Health Advocacy Social media has helped destigmatize mental health, especially in the Black community. Holly encourages open dialogue and early identification of mental health issues, especially among youth. 🎗️ Breast Cancer Journey Diagnosed in 2012, Holly turned her pain into purpose by becoming a breast cancer advocate. Her book, Strong More Than Muscles, shares her story and continues to inspire readers globally. 📚 Books & Youth Empowerment Holly created the “Your Mind, Your Magic” book series to support adolescent mental health. The series includes four books (also in Spanish) tailored for: Girls and boys Young men Special needs children Children with chronic illnesses 💬 Purpose & Empowerment Holly’s mission is to inspire women to live fully, embrace their power, and stop settling. She believes that authentic living aligns with purpose, and that impact is more valuable than income. 💬 Notable Quotes “I will not allow age to be an excuse.” “Nursing found me. It’s what I did, not who I am.” “Holistic health is about mind, body, spirit—and finances.” “Pain will push you to your purpose.” “When you live your life authentically, everything aligns.” “We need to focus on making kids mentally strong—not just physically strong.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Syys 28min

Brand Building: Delivers a candid and insightful masterclass on how to be a successful business owner
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald. Drawing from his own experiences—including the rise and fall of his Houston-based comedy club—he shares hard-earned lessons about budgeting, hiring, planning, and the realities of entrepreneurship. The episode is both motivational and practical, offering real-world advice for aspiring and current business owners. 🧭 Key Points 🔑 Common Mistakes in Business Hiring friends, family, or underqualified people out of convenience or emotional ties. Starting a business without a budget or clear plan. Entering partnerships without knowing the other person’s work ethic or values. Ignoring logistics like parking, taxes, and insurance. 📉 Lessons from Failure Rushion’s comedy club was popular but unprofitable due to poor planning and lack of financial oversight. He learned that profitability requires structure, not just popularity or passion. 🧠 Mindset & Commitment Success requires time, discipline, and consistency. Entrepreneurs must be willing to sacrifice, show up early, and stay late. You can’t run a business on dreams alone—you need a plan. 🧰 Practical Advice Use resources like the Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE for free guidance and mentorship. Set clear expectations with employees from day one. Don’t compromise your business by ignoring red flags during hiring. 💬 Notable Quotes “You can’t open a business and then try to set the budget. Now you’re playing catch-up.” “Don’t hire people just because they’re close to you. Hire people because they’re qualified.” “You can’t run a business on dreams. You need a plan.” “Do not hire inexperienced employees because they are cheaper.” “If you don’t have time for your business, your business won’t have time for you.” “I was making money, but I never saw any of it because I didn’t have a budget.” “Only you can look in the mirror and make a decision that benefits your future.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Syys 22min

FULL SHOW: Most Popular Birthday, Strawberry Letter: They're Not Really Related - 09.09.25
The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, September 9th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Nephew Tommy's Run That Prank Back - "Make A Wish Ministry" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Most Popular Birthday In America | Is Binge Watching Good For You? | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Tailgaters" | Strawberry Letter - "They're Not Really Related" Parts 1-2 | Sports Talk With Junior | Social Media Advice | Decisions - Shopping Anxiety | Would You Rather | Show Wrap UpSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Syys 1h 23min

Overcoming the Odds: Inspiring Successful Businesswoman raised in foster care and teen mom of 3 kids by 18.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kimberly Kelly. A real estate broker and entrepreneur who overcame a challenging upbringing in foster care, teen motherhood, and systemic adversity to become a successful businesswoman. Kimberly shares her journey of resilience, faith, and determination, offering inspiration to anyone facing difficult circumstances. Her story is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and the power of believing in oneself. 🧭 Key Points 🌱 Early Life & Adversity Raised in foster care from a young age due to her mother’s struggles with addiction. Took on a caregiver role for her younger brothers at age 9. Became a mother at 15 and had two children by 18, while still caring for her siblings. 💪 Resilience & Mindset Developed a survival mindset early on, driven by responsibility and love for her family. Found faith and spiritual grounding during her time in foster care. Never doubted her ability to succeed despite overwhelming odds. 🎓 Education & Career Path Returned to complete her high school diploma and pursued technical education. Earned a degree in electronics engineering and transitioned into the IT world. Later became a licensed real estate agent and opened her own brokerage. 🏡 Business Ventures Founder of a real estate brokerage in McDonough, Georgia. Focuses on educating and empowering first-time homebuyers and entrepreneurs. Co-owner of a property preservation company, Get Adventurous, with her husband. 🤝 Leadership & Branding Leads a small team of agents with a hands-on, mentorship-driven approach. Emphasizes adaptability, personal growth, and celebrating small victories. Operates within a price range of $250K–$750K and above, adapting to market trends. 💬 Notable Quotes “I’m superwoman. I’m phenomenal.” “Foster care is supposed to be temporary, but sometimes it becomes permanent.” “It never dawned on me that I wouldn’t be successful.” “You can do anything. There is nothing you can’t do in this life.” “Practice resilience. If you don’t have a support system, look in the mirror and talk to yourself.” “I’m always in the mindset of staying adaptable.” “My goal is to educate, motivate, and teach people that we can own real estate.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Syys 23min

Uplift: She helps women of color overcome burnout and reconnect with their purpose.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Charisse M. Williams. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To explore Charisse Williams’ journey from law and nonprofit leadership to becoming a certified leadership and wellbeing coach. The interview highlights her work with women of color through her brand Everyday Yellow Sanctuary, her book The Joy of Thriving While Black, and her mission to help others reclaim joy, clarity, and purpose. 🧠 Interview Summary 1. Background & Career Path Charisse is a lawyer by training who transitioned into nonprofit leadership. Her coaching journey began after a donor offered to pay for her to receive coaching, which transformed her life. She now helps women of color overcome burnout and reconnect with their purpose. Quote: “That coach was transformative for me… it planted the seed that maybe I would like to be the guide I wish I had.” 2. Everyday Yellow Sanctuary A community for trailblazing women of color to find joy and support. Inspired by her color-coded calendar where yellow represents joy and fun. Trademarked the brand after a branding expert recognized its potential. Quote: “Every day there has to be yellow… even a moment of joy in every single day.” 3. Coaching Philosophy Coaching is a partnership to help clients achieve specific goals. Focuses on asking the right questions to help clients unlock their own answers. Emphasizes clarity, confidence, and joy as outcomes. Quote: “Where are you now? Where do you want to be? What’s getting in the way?” 4. Mental Health & Social Justice 2020 was a turning point for Black mental health awareness. Her book was inspired by the trauma of witnessing police violence and the need for joy as resistance. Quote: “I was literally having nightmares about encounters with the police… I saw the hashtag Black Joy… and I got a download: write a book called Thriving While Black.” 5. Age & Fear Charisse started her business at age 48 and encourages others not to let age be a barrier. Most of her clients are in their 40s and 50s, seeking transformation and fulfillment. Quote: “It is not too late and you are not too old.” 6. Burnout & Overperformance Burnout is common among women of color due to societal pressure to overperform. Differentiates high performance (healthy ambition) from overperformance (driven by unworthiness). Quote: “Overperformance is trying to outrun unworthiness… we need to do some unlearning.” 7. Dream in Color Visioning Framework A tool to help clients articulate what a meaningful life looks like across multiple dimensions: career, relationships, joy, spirituality, etc. Encourages intentional planning and action toward that vision. Quote: “Pain pushes until the vision pulls.” 8. Community & Accountability The sanctuary offers weekly check-ins, goal setting, and accountability. Research shows that writing and speaking goals increases success rates dramatically. Quote: “If you have a vision, a plan, and accountability, your success can go up by 95%.” ✅ Key Takeaways Coaching is transformative and helps unlock clarity and purpose. Joy is essential and should be intentionally cultivated daily. Mental health matters, especially for communities of color. Age is not a limitation—transformation can happen at any stage. Burnout is real, and overperformance is often rooted in deeper issues. Community support and accountability are powerful tools for growth. Intentional living through frameworks like Dream in Color can lead to lasting change. 📚 Resources & Links Website & Community: charissemwilliams.com/community Book: The Joy of Thriving While Black – available on Bookshop and other retailers. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
9 Syys 32min