The Strawberry Letter, heard on The Steve Harvey Morning Show, Tuesday, September 30th, 2025. Subject: "Sexy, 70 & Still Stutters"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Overcoming the Odds: Highlights his journey as an immigrant entrepreneur.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Miko Dami Kujembola. CEO and co-founder of Amplify Africa. 🎯 Purpose of the Interview The interview aims to: Highlight Dami Kujembola’s journey as an immigrant entrepreneur. Showcase the mission and impact of Amplify Africa. Promote the upcoming Africon event and its cultural significance. Address stereotypes about Africa and advocate for accurate representation. Inspire listeners to connect with their heritage and pursue entrepreneurial goals. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Amplify Africa’s Mission Amplify Africa is a media and entertainment company focused on bridging the gap between the African continent and the global Black diaspora. It promotes African culture through events, media, and partnerships, reaching 12 million people monthly across the US, UK, Brazil, and Africa. 2. Combatting Stereotypes Dami emphasizes the need to correct misconceptions about Africa, especially those perpetuated by Western media. He uses media as a tool to educate and reshape narratives about African life, culture, and innovation. 3. Africon Festival A multi-day cultural and business event in Atlanta featuring: A marketplace with 100+ businesses. Pitch competitions for startups and short films. Music, fashion, food, and film experiences. Support from the Atlanta Mayor’s Office. Designed to make attendees feel immersed in African culture, especially Lagos, Nigeria. 4. Nollywood’s Global Rise Nollywood is the third-largest film industry globally. Netflix and other platforms have helped elevate African stories and talent. Dami’s company partnered with Regal Cinemas for a nationwide Nollywood release. 5. Afro Ball Gala An annual gala honoring successful individuals of African descent. Aims to inspire others by showcasing excellence and validating dreams regardless of skin color. 6. Challenges & Resilience Dami discusses immigration challenges, funding cuts, and political shifts affecting cultural events. Despite setbacks, he remains optimistic and committed to fostering global connections. 💬 Notable Quotes “The event is purely geared towards access.” – On the purpose of Africon. “I’ve probably never seen a lion in my entire life.” – On the absurdity of stereotypes about Africa. “Our goal is to make our world smaller.” – On creating immersive cultural experiences. “I didn’t know where to find successful people who looked like me.” – On the inspiration behind Afro Ball. “I’m actually not special… it’s really representative of the need of people right now.” – On the growth of Amplify Africa. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Uplift: HIs book A Long Time Coming is structured as letters to victims like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Hadiya Pendleton.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. 📝 Summary of the Interview Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, renowned public intellectual and author of over 20 books, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss his powerful work A Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America. The conversation explored systemic racism, police brutality, cancel culture, and the emotional toll of chronic injustice. Dyson reflected on the impact of smartphone technology in documenting racial violence, the trauma of Black death, and the need for hope-driven activism. He also emphasized the importance of storytelling, accountability, and redemption in the fight for racial justice. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Smartphones as Tools for Justice Smartphones have revolutionized racial justice by capturing police brutality and systemic abuse. Dyson calls it a “Gutenberg shift” in how Black communities document truth. Quote: “The smartphone has changed the game… It’s extraordinary.” 2. Emotional Toll of Chronic Injustice Dyson shares the deep emotional pain of revisiting historical and recent Black deaths. Visiting MLK’s room at the Lorraine Motel or watching documentaries evokes intense grief. Quote: “We are terrorized and we’re terrorized again.” 3. Purpose of His Book A Long Time Coming is structured as letters to victims like George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Hadiya Pendleton. Dyson aims to humanize their stories and provide context beyond media soundbites. Quote: “If they could endure the death, the least we could do is grapple with the hurt.” 4. Cancel Culture Critique Dyson critiques cancel culture as a form of modern-day digital lynching. He distinguishes between accountability and eradication. Quote: “Hold them accountable, make them responsible… but allow me a comeback.” 5. Hope vs. Optimism Dyson emphasizes hope as a deeper, more resilient force than optimism. Change requires action, not just prayer or wishful thinking. Quote: “Hope is something you believe in even when you can’t see the evidence.” 6. Detailed Storytelling Dyson meticulously documents the timeline and facts of cases like George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. His research includes transcripts, video analysis, and legal proceedings. Quote: “I did the spade work… I wanted every element to be brought to the fore.” 7. Black-on-Black Violence Contextualized Dyson reframes it as “neighbor-to-neighbor violence,” noting similar patterns in white communities. He highlights the tragedy of Hadiya Pendleton’s death and its broader implications. Quote: “People kill where they live… That’s where the drama is.” 💬 Notable Quotes “We’ve been telling y’all the police act out of hand… now the video proves it.” “I don’t want to turn it into the pornography of Black death.” “Cancel culture is a white supremacist fantasy.” “Let me have a chance to be redeemed, to be restored.” “Change won’t happen because we hope it into existence… we must act.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Legacy: He shares the cultural history of D.C.’s iconic mumbo sauce and youth mentorship.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jermaine Smith. 💼 Business Overview Henry’s Soul Café: A family legacy restaurant founded in 1968 by Jermaine’s father. Jermaine expanded the brand while honoring its roots. Culinary Institute: Created to train and mentor youth in the culinary arts. Film & Talent: Produces films (Strange Love, Trophy Wife, Legendary with Earthquake) and manages comedians and entertainers. Real Estate: Active developer and investor in the DMV area. 💡 Key Insights Legacy & Mentorship: Inspired by his father’s generosity and work ethic, Jermaine emphasizes giving back and mentoring youth. Multiple Streams of Income: Jermaine diversified his career across food, entertainment, and real estate. Community Impact: Employs and mentors local youth, often becoming a father figure and role model. Soul Food Philosophy: Describes soul food as “cooked from the heart,” rooted in African American history and Southern traditions. Mumbo Sauce Origin: Shared the cultural history of D.C.’s iconic mumbo sauce and consulted McDonald’s on its rollout. 🧠 Business Wisdom “It’s not about what you acquire, it’s about what you help others acquire.” “Kids emulate what they see. Be the example.” “You don’t have to be the star to be the one who delivers the value.” 📦 Bonus Highlights TV Appearance: Featured on OWN’s Great Soul Food Cook-Off as one of the top 8 soul food chefs in the U.S. McDonald’s Collaboration: Consulted on the cultural authenticity of mumbo sauce for a national campaign. Faith & Focus: Attributes his success to staying grounded, being trustworthy, and having a heart for service. #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Overcoming the Odds: Entertainer chronicles his journey from addiction and homelessness to musical success and personal healing.
Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kem. Platinum-selling R&B artist, author of Share My Life 🎯 Purpose of the Interview To explore Kem’s memoir Share My Life, which chronicles his journey from addiction and homelessness to musical success and personal healing. The interview aims to inspire listeners by highlighting the power of vulnerability, perseverance, and self-transformation. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Healing Through Storytelling Kem wrote Share My Life to help others heal, just as others’ stories helped him: “Any healing and transformation that I have experienced… is because somebody shared their story with me.” 2. Overcoming Self Kem emphasizes that the biggest obstacle in life is often oneself: “All of life is about overcoming self… My biggest problem has always been me.” 3. Family Dynamics & Silence Kem discusses the generational silence in his family and how it shaped his emotional struggles: “We didn’t talk about stuff… You’re left to fend for yourself emotionally, spiritually and psychologically.” 4. Addiction & Recovery Kem’s sobriety began on July 23, 1990, marking a turning point in his life: “When the student is ready, the teacher appears… I surrendered.” 5. Entrepreneurial Hustle Kem self-funded his breakout album Chemistry using a $17,000 American Express loan: “I figured this will either work or I’ll have the largest credit card bill in America.” He learned the music business in real time—creating barcodes, consignment sheets, and selling CDs in local stores. 6. Letting Go to Move Forward Kem found success when he stopped obsessing over getting a record deal: “I didn’t stop making music, but I let go of the idea that this was the only thing I could do.” 7. Fatherhood & Growth He reflects on fatherhood, relationships, and the ongoing process of aligning his life: “I’m always in the process of lining my life up… It’s not a place where you arrive.” 8. Education & Redemption Kem returned to earn his high school diploma after dropping out, choosing that path over the GED: “It was always a point of shame… I may as well go back to school.” 💬 Notable Quotes On vulnerability: “In the telling of my story to help others, I’m also helping myself.” On entrepreneurship: “Entrepreneurship is doing the next right thing.” On music’s role: “My music is therapeutic… It’s uplifting, emotional, motivational.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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