The Steve Harvey Morning Show28 Loka 2024

Overcoming the Odds: No student loans, secured $8 million dollars in HBCU scholarships.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Douglass Fort. He founded The Blerd Academy (Black Nerds). It’s a wealth building program that helps High-Achieving Black-American youth get scholarships to HBCU’s. They have secured over $8 million dollars in scholarships! Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Master Class Douglass Fort.

Why did you start the Academy?
What are some outcomes of the Academy?
Why should the Black-American community highlight our nerds?

· Since 2016 Fort has secured $8 million in scholarships for 63 high-achieving Black American students. Full-ride and tuition-only scholarships to HBCUs through graduate school.
· PJ’s sister, Marissa, also went through the program. She graduated Cum Laude from Hampton University with a degree in Accounting, earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University all debt-free, and now works for Deloitte in New York City.
· Other success stories: A Tennessee State U graduate now works in the front office for the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
· Two are Obama-Cheskey Voyager scholars.
· Fort says: “We don’t talk enough about Black scientists, mathematicians, and doctors. Only 1% of athletes make it to the NFL. We’re hustling backward having our kids focus on sports over education.”
· Criteria for the students he assists: a 3.5 GPA, a 28 ACT score, or a 1300 SAT score for a full-ride scholarship, or a minimum 3.2 GPA, a 23 ACT score, or an 1130 SAT score for tuition-only scholarships. AP and/or Honors classes, community service, and school leadership is also beneficial.
· Since the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina struck down Affirmative Action in college admissions Fort has been busy.
· Several HBCUs saw a surge in applications, including Washington D.C.’s Howard University, Clark-Atlanta University, which outpaced the University of Georgia, and Florida Agricultural Mechanical University (FAMU).
· Fort says: Parents just don’t know there is money and resources at these institutions for their high-achieving students, but they should because their kids have excelled in the classroom, and they deserve it.”

MONEY MAKING CONVERSATIONS TALKING POINTS
Guest: Douglass J. Fort, Founder, The BLERD Academy
· Grew up in East Palo Alto, California
· Liked school but got caught up in the streets
· Was shot as a teen.
· A childhood friend suggested he apply to Jackson State University. When he was accepted, hesitated, but did go.
· Graduated from JSU. A Criminal Justice Major/Urban Affairs/Development minor. After graduation, he returned to East Palo Alto where he started the violence prevention program, For Youth By Youth.
· Worked with law enforcement to help clean up Black neighborhoods.
· His son received a full-ride athletic scholarship to Morehouse College but turned it down to play Division 1 Football at a PWI, and never played.
· Doug was heartbroken that his son turned down Morehouse. A close friend told him he had to get over it and focus on kids who wanted the HBCU experience.
· Founded The BLERD Academy, a combination of the words Black and Nerd in 2016 in Oakland; a non-profit wealth-building program that assists high-achieving Black American students graduate, debt-free from more than 100 HBCUs.
· Found the first BLERD while working at a Bay Area JSU Black College Expo booth. It was 6’5 honor roll student, Phillip Patrick Jr. who had a 3.6 GPA and 28 ACT score. Fort offered him a full-ride Presidential scholarship to Jackson State on the spot.
· Phillip Patrick had played baseball all his life and thought he would have to continue playing in college on scholarship. When he received the full-ride, he told his mother he no longer wanted to play baseball, he wanted to be a brain surgeon.
· Patrick Jr. majored in Biology Pre-Med and graduated from JSU in 2020. He is now in the 3rd year of a five-year medical program at UC Irvine Medical School where he will receive his Master’s in Public Health and Medical Degree in Cardiac Anesthesiology. UC Irvine is fully financing his medical
degree. He is engaged to a fellow Blerd who graduated from Howard University and is in Medical School at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Also debt free.
· Fort advises his kids to leverage their B.L.E.R.D and secure their bag of money through graduate school.
· He is especially passionate about young Black men from tough neighborhoods like he came from.
· He is a big proponent of kids buying property as early as possible.
· Fort says: “This is a spiritual calling. My mission is to rebuild our community, and it starts with young men because they are the ones who will be the providers for their families. We exist as an organization to build a healthy community that is Black, Educated, Resourceful, and Determined, and we are doing it one B.L.E.R.D at a time.”
· Website: www.theblerdacademy.com, Instagram: TheBlerdAcademy

#STRAW

#BEST

#SHMS

Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/

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Brand Building: In 2017 he founded Green Book Global, a travel review platform for Black travelers, partnered with Expedia.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lawrence Phillips. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Lawrence Phillips’ entrepreneurial journey from engineering to founding Green Book Global, a travel review platform for Black travelers. To highlight the significance of Black Ambition, an initiative by Pharrell Williams supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs. To inspire listeners about resilience, innovation, and the importance of culturally inclusive travel resources. Key Takeaways Background & Career Shift Phillips studied Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech and worked at Accenture in IT consulting for nearly a decade. Despite career success, he felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue his passion for travel, leading to the creation of Green Book Global. Travel Experience Traveled to 30+ countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica, in less than a year. Realized the need for a platform addressing “traveling while Black” concerns—safety, cultural acceptance, and inclusivity. Green Book Global Inspired by the historical Green Book (1936–1966), which guided Black travelers during segregation. Offers city-level Black-friendly scores, road trip planners, and Black-owned restaurant recommendations. Over 150,000 app downloads in 2025; partnered with Expedia; strong social media presence. Black Ambition Program Phillips applied three times before reaching semifinals, emphasizing persistence. Program provided funding opportunities and a transformative Evoke Wellness experience. His personal “why” statement:“I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” Impact & Vision Advocates systemic change by partnering with destinations to improve inclusivity. Highlights the economic power of Black travelers (over $140 billion annually). Encourages Black travelers to explore global opportunities beyond U.S. racial constraints. Notable Quotes “You can be successful and still not be happy.” — On leaving a lucrative career for passion. “I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” — His guiding principle. “There’s riches in niches.” — On unapologetically focusing on Black travelers. “Just because somebody said no doesn’t mean they said no to you—they said no at that time.” — On persistence in entrepreneurship. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Marras 202529min

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Financial Tips: He created tools for financial success, estate planning, and long-term wealth building.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Joaquin Wallace. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To explore Dr. Wallace’s groundbreaking work in financial literacy, particularly his concept of the “financial genetic code”, and to promote his book Generational Wealth Begins with Generational Knowledge. The interview aims to empower marginalized communities with tools for financial healing, literacy, and long-term wealth building. 🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Background & Recognition Dr. Wallace is a recipient of the Wells Fargo Living History Makers Award. Featured in the Contemporary Black Biography series. Former college basketball coach and educator with a strong focus on discipline and mentorship. 2. Seven-Stage Generational Wealth Model Outlined in his book, the model includes: Internal/External Ecosystem – influences from family, community, and environment. Financial Genetic Code – inherited financial narratives and behaviors. Financial Healing – reprogramming harmful financial habits. Financial Edification – literacy and inclusion. Financial Well-being – stability and health. Generational Knowledge – estate planning, insurance, long-term care. Generational Wealth – successful transfer of assets. “Without financial well-being, there is no generational wealth.” 3. Financial Genetic Code A trademarked concept by Dr. Wallace. Unlike DNA, it can be rewritten through education and therapy. Influenced by early experiences, family habits, and community norms. Examples include “scar tissue narratives” (trauma from past financial events). 4. Credit & Financial Literacy Credit score is critical but misunderstood. Utilization rate should be under 30%. Payment history and inquiries significantly affect scores. Many people are unaware of the difference between consumer scores and business scores. 5. Barriers to Financial Growth Lack of trust in financial systems due to past trauma. Misinformation passed down from family and community. Zip codes and overleveraging can impact loan approvals. Financial professionals may unknowingly transfer their own biases to clients. 6. Role of Financial Professionals Dr. Wallace identifies five key roles: Financial Educator Financial Counselor Financial Therapist Financial Advisor Financial Planner He emphasizes matching individuals with the right professional based on their needs and emotional readiness. 7. Book Insights Generational Wealth Begins with Generational Knowledge is an Amazon bestseller. Includes self-assessments after each chapter. Designed for both professionals and everyday readers. Encourages readers to identify their financial stage and take actionable steps. 💬 Notable Quotes “You are your credit score.” “Inherited financial narratives create encoded financial behaviors.” “Any answer sounds correct if you don’t ask the right question.” “Consistency creates consistent outcomes.” “Financial literacy is not the end-all—it’s just one piece of the puzzle.” “We do what we know. If we don’t know, we just continue to do.” 📌 Final Thoughts Dr. Joaquin Wallace offers a transformative framework for understanding and improving financial behavior, especially in underserved communities. His concept of the financial genetic code bridges psychology, education, and economics, making financial wellness more accessible and actionable. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Marras 202538min

FULL SHOW: Christmas Shopping Time, Strawberry Letter: Keeping A Secret Always Backfires - 11.10.25

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