Overcoming the Odds: She was a C student and a college dropout, but she is the CEO of Black Ambition.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Paul Rainey. He holds a powerful executive role in the media world, shaping the future of iconic brands like Billboard, Rolling Stone, and SXSW. 🏆 Paul Rainey’s Executive Career at Penske Media Corporation (PMC) Current Role Executive Vice President of Operations and Finance at Penske Media Corporation (PMC). Oversees operations and financial strategy for Rolling Stone, Billboard, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Vibe, SXSW, and more. Provides strategic input across PMC’s global media brands and live events, including the Billboard Music Awards, SXSW, and American Music Awards. Key Responsibilities Leads financial decision-making, acquisitions, and operational procedures across PMC’s portfolio. Serves on several boards, including as Audit Committee Chair of Redaptive, Inc. and a Director at SXSW. Background & Education Holds a Master of Science in Accountancy and a BBA in Finance and Computer Applications from the University of Notre Dame. Formerly held leadership roles at General Electric, Global Eagle, and Harris CapRock Communications, managing billion-dollar operations across five continents. 📘 About PMC & Cultural InfluencePMC is a global media powerhouse, reaching over 350 million people monthly. Its brands shape culture through journalism, entertainment, and live events, including SXSW Paul Rainey is a rare blend of creative storyteller and corporate strategist, bridging the worlds of graphic novels and global media leadership. Whether he’s crafting a sci-fi twist in a comic or guiding the future of Billboard and SXSW, his influence is both wide-reaching and deeply personal. Let me know if you’d like a visual timeline of his career or a deeper dive into one of his roles. 🎬📈✨ #STRAW #BEST #SHMSSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Jan 23min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Tim Mercer. Author of Bootstrap Millionaire and CFO of Cadence Ventures, Inc.: 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To inspire and educate aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals by sharing Tim Mercer’s journey from humble beginnings to financial success, emphasizing the importance of hard work, faith, planning, and leveraging government contracts and nontraditional financing. 🗝️ Key Takeaways Background & Journey Tim Mercer grew up in Mullins, South Carolina, in modest circumstances. His path to success began with military service, which broadened his worldview and led him to entrepreneurship. Bootstrap Millionaire Philosophy The term “bootstrap” symbolizes hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance. Mercer emphasizes that success doesn’t come overnight—it requires grinding, planning, and faith. Importance of a Business Plan A solid business plan is essential for securing funding and guiding business growth. Mercer shares real-life examples of people failing to secure support due to lack of planning. Cadence Ventures, Inc. A boutique private equity firm offering nontraditional financing for real estate investors. Focuses on investment properties and uses the property itself as collateral. Government Contracting Mercer began in government contracting in 2012 and credits it with helping him scale his business. He stresses that while it’s complex and paperwork-heavy, it’s a valuable opportunity for minority-owned businesses. Free resources like SAM.gov and Georgia Tech’s GT PAC can help entrepreneurs navigate the process. Success Requires Sacrifice Mercer highlights that every successful person has a story of struggle and sacrifice. His book’s first chapter, “See the Glory, Don’t Know the Story,” encapsulates this message. 💬 Notable Quotes “If you want to have the things tomorrow that other people won’t have, then you got to be willing to do the things today that other people won’t do.” — Tim Mercer quoting Les Brown “There’s no success without sacrifice.” — Tim Mercer “You can only make as much as the customer that you have.” — Tim Mercer on scaling through government contracts “See the glory, don’t know the story.” — Chapter title from Bootstrap Millionaire #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Jan 25min

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Ledwith. She is the founder of Scholar Ready, whose mission is to help students excel in standardized testing and scholarship applications. 🔑 Key Themes & Highlights The Inspiration Behind Scholar Ready Ledwith founded Scholar Ready after realizing many students struggled with scholarships due to weak essay-writing skills. She personally secured scholarships to fund her college education, graduating with minimal student debt. The Importance of Standardized Test Preparation Scholar Ready helps students prepare for PSAT, SAT, and ACT exams to unlock scholarship opportunities. Ledwith emphasized that test scores are crucial for college admissions and financial aid. Overcoming Barriers to Higher Education Many students fear essay writing and test-taking, limiting their scholarship potential. Ledwith’s program provides personalized tutoring to build confidence and improve scores. Scholarship Application Strategies Students must research scholarship providers and tailor their essays accordingly. She advises applicants to highlight unique qualities beyond grades and test scores. Encouraging Persistence & Resilience Ledwith stresses that rejection is part of the scholarship process and should not discourage students. She encourages students to apply widely and refine their applications based on feedback. 📘 About Jennifer LedwithJennifer Ledwith is an education entrepreneur dedicated to helping students succeed in college admissions and scholarship applications. Through Scholar Ready, she provides tutoring and workshops to improve test scores and essay-writing skills, ensuring students have the financial resources to pursue higher education. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11 Jan 25min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Friday, January 9th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Weed In The Church Van" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | What Do You... | Roscoe Wallace | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "The Blind Barber" | Strawberry Letter - "She Was Wearing My Wig Wig With My Husband" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk - Pimpin's NFL Playoff Picks | Social Media Advice | Ready To Love Update | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

9 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Thursday, January 8th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Sweat Hog" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Sick Days | Chris Redd | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Weed In The Church Van" | Strawberry Letter - "Double Standards Are A Thing Of The Past" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Escaped Monkey Trashes Music Store | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

8 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, January 7th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Can I Paint Your Wife Naked?" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | J Rap's 1st Poem Of 2026 | Revenge Fire | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Sweat Hog" | Strawberry Letter - "New Year, New Body" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Shirley Cooking Lessons | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

7 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Tuesday, January 6th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Christmas Light Expiration" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News | Pastor Jamal Bryant’s Wife’s Dress | Vision Boards | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Can I Paint Your Wife Naked?" | Strawberry Letter - "He Got A New Zip Code For Christmas" Pt. 1-2 | Junior's Sports Talk | Social Media Advice | Meg The Stallion Popeye's | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 Jan 1h 32min

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Monday, January 5th, 2026: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Bad Potluck" | Ask The CLO | That Ain't Your Business | Would You Rather | Right Or Wrong | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Christmas Light Expiration" | Strawberry Letter - "Her Special Healing Soup" Pt. 1-2 | What Is Your Lying "Tell" | Social Media Advice | STI's Up Among Seniors | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing RemarksSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

5 Jan 1h 32min