The Steve Harvey Morning Show

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Cassandra Lester.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview introduces Cassandra Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper and its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative. The goal is to provide free career certification scholarships to underserved and economically impacted communities, helping individuals increase earning potential and gain financial literacy.
Key Takeaways
Mission of Grow Give Prosper
Founded in 2023, focused on financial education and empowerment.
Aims to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively.

Google Partnership
Offers free career certifications in high-demand fields: Cybersecurity
Data Analytics
Digital Marketing & E-commerce
IT Support
Project Management
UX Design

Certifications are self-paced, online, and typically take 3–6 months.
No prior experience required; participants receive a portfolio upon completion.

Accessibility
Scholarships are free; the only requirement is commitment.
Available to anyone in the continental U.S., regardless of education level (GED, college dropout, etc.).
Registration via growgiveprosper.org (scroll to Google Career Scholarships).

Impact
Over 300 scholarships awarded; previously had 500.
Designed to level the playing field for those without Ivy League degrees.
Certifications can stack (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics) for greater career potential.

Financial Literacy
Defined as understanding financial concepts and applying them to daily life.
Misconceptions persist—some communities avoid discussing money or undervalue credit scores.
Cassandra emphasizes breaking cycles of predatory lending and poor financial habits.

Challenges
Cultural reluctance to discuss money.
Skepticism about legitimacy of programs.
Difficulty securing grants as a small nonprofit.
Cassandra combats these through grassroots outreach and workshops.

Personal Drive
Cassandra’s passion stems from seeing financial struggles across all demographics.
She actively promotes opportunities through community centers, adult education classes, and social media.

Notable Quotes
“I want us to grow together so that we can give to each other and then prosper as a collective.”
“Google is leveling the playing field—you don’t need an Ivy League education to earn a livable wage.”
“The only fee is commitment.”
“Financial literacy means you understand the words, you hear the conversation, and it’s not Greek to you.”
“You can’t talk about managing finances if you really don’t have anything coming in.”
“You don’t want to miss this opportunity to increase your earning potential.”
“Once you’re certified, that’s yours for life—you can’t repo a degree or certification.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dominique Leonard.
Founder of Jus' Free, a parole package provider. Here are some key highlights and themes from the conversation:
🔑 Key Themes & Takeaways 1. From Incarceration to Inspiration
Dominique Leonard was sentenced to life in prison for a non-aggravated robbery.
He discovered that “life” sentences can vary, and his was eligible for parole after 5.5 to 6 years.
He was denied parole initially, which led him to take control of his own legal journey.
2. Birth of “Jus' Free”
After being denied parole, Dominique created his own parole package with the help of his family.
He realized many inmates are unaware of how they are presented to the parole board.
This inspired him to found Jus' Free, a service that helps inmates humanize themselves through custom parole packages.
3. Faith, Family, and Redemption
Dominique credits his faith and family for his transformation.
He emphasizes that making a bad decision doesn’t make someone a bad person.
His story is a testament to second chances and the power of self-advocacy.
4. Entrepreneurial Journey
After release, he started with humble jobs and gradually built Just Free into a business.
He took a paralegal course to deepen his legal knowledge.
He began by contacting inmates directly and now boasts an 82% success rate in helping clients secure parole.
5. Impact and Legacy
Dominique’s work not only helps inmates but also supports their families.
His story is a reminder of the importance of empathy, support systems, and believing in redemption.

#AMI
#STRAW
#BEST
#SHMS

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Kevin Cohee.
Purpose of the Interview
The interview aimed to:
Highlight OneUnited Bank’s mission as the largest Black-owned and first Black-owned internet bank in America.
Educate listeners on financial literacy, technology-driven banking, and economic empowerment in underserved communities.
Promote OneUnited Bank’s products and services as solutions for financial challenges faced by Black Americans and others lacking access to traditional banking.
Key Takeaways
Historical Context & Mission
The concept of a national Black-owned bank dates back to leaders like Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Martin Luther King Jr., who emphasized economic empowerment.
OneUnited Bank was formed through acquisitions and later pivoted to technology-driven banking.

Technology & Innovation
OneUnited embraced AI and data aggregation over a decade ago to create products that help customers understand assets, liabilities, and net worth in real time.
Banking has shifted from physical branches to digital platforms, enabling nationwide access.

Financial Literacy Crisis
90% of Americans lack financial literacy, largely because it’s not taught in schools.
Cohee advocates for mandatory K–12 financial literacy education, citing studies showing it can add $126,000 to lifetime net worth.

Products Designed for Real Needs
CashPlease: Short-term emergency loans at affordable rates.
Second Chance Checking: Helps rebuild credit.
Savings Programs: Often in collaboration with employers.
These products address real-life challenges like low emergency savings and predatory check-cashing fees.

Accessibility & Reach
OneUnited offers nationwide banking via oneunited.com, surcharge-free ATMs, and partnerships with major networks.
Customers can deposit checks online and access services without visiting physical branches.

Economic Empowerment
Technology enables entrepreneurship without owning physical products—leveraging branding and e-commerce.
Cohee draws parallels between today’s tech opportunities and the historical wealth-building of Black Wall Street.

Notable Quotes
“We are FDIC insured, commercial bank like them. The only difference is we’re smarter and we have better technology.”
“Technology and AI allow anyone to make decisions like they were an expert.”
“If we taught financial literacy in schools, it would create over $100,000 in net worth per person over their lifetime.”
“You don’t have to go to check cashers and get ripped off. Just go to oneunited.com.”
“We’ve been working on AI for over a decade. We’re not coming to the party—we are the party.”
“Our generation has technology and communication skills. We can change society.”
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Crystal Hughes.
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
To spotlight Crystal Hughes’ entrepreneurial journey, her resilience through adversity, and her innovative contributions to the beauty industry and nonprofit work. The interview aims to inspire listeners by showing how personal challenges can fuel impactful ventures.
🗝️ Key Takeaways 1. Early Entrepreneurship & Adversity
At age 21, Crystal opened her first wig and natural hair salon in a flea market.
Shortly after, she was incarcerated for bank fraud—a decision she made out of desperation to fund her business dreams.
She wrote a book titled Money and My Daughter while in prison, inspired by her experiences and authors like Wahida Clark.
2. Wig Capital Foundation
Founded to donate medical wigs to cancer patients and others in need.
Crystal collected and donated over 5,000 wigs in the first year.
Partnered with beauty supply stores and hospitals (e.g., Howard University Hospital, MedStar).
Schools helped refurbish wigs in exchange for community service hours.
3. Mobile Glam Squad
A tech-driven initiative likened to “Uber for beauty services.”
Connects licensed beauty professionals with clients, especially those who are immobile or in hospitals.
Aims to provide group health insurance for stylists and expand to college campuses.
4. Personal Healing & Resilience
Survived a serious car accident resulting in chronic pain.
Opted out of surgery and explored “sexual healing” as a form of pain management.
Worked in a Nevada brothel during recovery, combining physical therapy with alternative healing.
5. Land Development in Utah, Alabama
Inherited one acre of land from her grandparents.
Plans to build an adult living facility and raise funds through seasonal events like scavenger hunts.
Noted signs of economic growth in the area (new gas station, dialysis center, Dollar General).
6. Use of Technology
Embraced tech tools like ChatGPT for legal and business support.
Shares tech resources with cosmetology students during marketing tours.
💬 Notable Quotes
“I always wanted to have my own beauty supply store… I figured out a way to do it.”
“I wasn’t the brains in the operation… but I knew I had to stay confident.”
“Anything over $1,000, they had to kind of question it.”
“I wrote my book in prison… it’s fiction based on true events.”
“I didn’t want to lose myself… I had to figure out a way.”
“You are a genius.” — a compliment she received from a mentor after promoting her nonprofit.
“You can’t stop yourself sometimes… you don’t let the system stop you.” — Rushion McDonald on Crystal’s entrepreneurial spirit.
📌 Final Thoughts
Crystal Hughes’ story is one of resilience, reinvention, and resourcefulness. From incarceration to innovation, she has turned personal pain into purpose, creating platforms that empower others—especially women facing medical and financial challenges.
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Moniek Garside.
A licensed clinical social worker and founder of Fit Life Wellness. Here's a comprehensive summary of the episode:
🎙️ Guest: Moniek Garside
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, South Carolina, and Minnesota.
Founder of Fit Life Wellness, a private mental health and wellness practice.
Author of the guided journal I Can, I Will.
🧠 Key Topics Discussed 🧘‍♀️ What Therapy Really Is
Therapy is not just “talking on a couch”—it’s a safe space for vulnerability, healing, and personal growth.
It involves unpacking emotional challenges, not just surface-level advice.
🔄 Life Transitions
Includes shifts like: Moving from corporate to entrepreneurship
Divorce or children leaving home
Personal reinvention

Therapy helps individuals navigate uncertainty and redefine stability.
🧑‍💼 Mental Health for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs often neglect self-care in pursuit of success.
Therapy helps them prioritize balance, manage burnout, and maintain mental clarity.
Moniek emphasizes the importance of processing emotions and having a support system.
📘 About the Book: I Can, I Will
A 30-day guided journal with weekly themes and daily prompts.
Designed to help individuals: Reflect on their emotions
Reset their mindset
Overcome depression, anxiety, and life transitions

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and MoniekGarside.com
🧩 Common Mental Health Misconceptions
Mental health is often oversimplified or trivialized on social media.
Terms like “anxiety” and “boundaries” are used without understanding.
Real healing requires professional guidance, not just affirmations or apps.
🧍‍♀️ Moniek’s Personal Journey
Originally a nursing major, she transitioned to social work after realizing her passion was emotional care.
She created Fit Life Wellness to have autonomy in how she supports clients.
She is both a therapist and a therapy client—emphasizing the importance of self-work.
🧠 Mental Health Red Flags
Depression: Irritability, isolation, loss of interest, low motivation.
Anxiety: Racing thoughts, physical symptoms (e.g., heart palpitations), constant worry.
🧰 Therapy vs. Technology
Apps and AI tools can supplement mental health care (e.g., affirmations, breathing exercises).
But they cannot replace the human connection and insight of a trained therapist.
🌐 Connect with Moniek Garside
Website: MoniekGarside.com
Practice: Fit Life Wellness
Services: Virtual therapy, clinical supervision, mental health resources
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST
Support the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.