Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ryan Wilson. 

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aimed to:

• Highlight Ryan Wilson’s entrepreneurial journey as co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot (TGS).
• Showcase how TGS fosters collaboration, networking, and empowerment for African Americans and minorities.
• Discuss business growth strategies, fintech integration, and community building.
• Promote the Atlanta Business League’s 90th anniversary and its role in supporting Black-owned businesses.

Key Takeaways

1. Vision and Persistence

   • TGS was conceptualized in 2013 and launched in 2016 after years of planning.
   • Ryan faced 97 rejections before securing the first investor for \$3M in funding.
   • Quote: “We really were seeing something that the market couldn’t see.”

2. Atlanta as the Hub

   • Chose Atlanta for its culture, leadership, and creative ecosystem.
   • Quote: “Atlanta is an incredibly special place… what we export more than anything else is our culture.”

3. Community and Networking

   • TGS offers event spaces, dining, and workspaces designed to celebrate Black culture.
   • Membership spans ages 21 to 91, emphasizing connection across industries.
   • Quote: “My job each and every day is to try to figure out how to introduce people that ordinarily would not have met one another.”

4. Fintech and Financial Empowerment

   • TGS integrates financial technology solutions to improve community financial health.
   • Quote: “We realized that we didn’t actually have the tool… we could talk about money, but we needed the ability to bank and provide resources.”

5. Atlanta Business League Leadership

   • Ryan serves as Chair of ABL, advocating for Black-owned businesses.
   • Focus on growth, partnerships, and practical advice through programs and panels.
   • Quote: “Do you really want to win or look good losing?” (on DEI challenges)

6. Expansion

   • Physical locations: Atlanta, Washington D.C., Los Angeles.
   • Connected cities: New York, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Charlotte.

Notable Quotes

• “I didn’t want to have any regrets about not trying.”
• “We need to have a place where we feel comfortable.”
• “It’s in everybody’s interest that Black-owned businesses grow and scale.”

#BEST

#SHMS

#STRAW

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Ryan Wilson. 

Purpose of the Interview

The interview aimed to:

• Highlight Ryan Wilson’s entrepreneurial journey as co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot (TGS).
• Showcase how TGS fosters collaboration, networking, and empowerment for African Americans and minorities.
• Discuss business growth strategies, fintech integration, and community building.
• Promote the Atlanta Business League’s 90th anniversary and its role in supporting Black-owned businesses.

Key Takeaways

1. Vision and Persistence

   • TGS was conceptualized in 2013 and launched in 2016 after years of planning.
   • Ryan faced 97 rejections before securing the first investor for \$3M in funding.
   • Quote: “We really were seeing something that the market couldn’t see.”

2. Atlanta as the Hub

   • Chose Atlanta for its culture, leadership, and creative ecosystem.
   • Quote: “Atlanta is an incredibly special place… what we export more than anything else is our culture.”

3. Community and Networking

   • TGS offers event spaces, dining, and workspaces designed to celebrate Black culture.
   • Membership spans ages 21 to 91, emphasizing connection across industries.
   • Quote: “My job each and every day is to try to figure out how to introduce people that ordinarily would not have met one another.”

4. Fintech and Financial Empowerment

   • TGS integrates financial technology solutions to improve community financial health.
   • Quote: “We realized that we didn’t actually have the tool… we could talk about money, but we needed the ability to bank and provide resources.”

5. Atlanta Business League Leadership

   • Ryan serves as Chair of ABL, advocating for Black-owned businesses.
   • Focus on growth, partnerships, and practical advice through programs and panels.
   • Quote: “Do you really want to win or look good losing?” (on DEI challenges)

6. Expansion

   • Physical locations: Atlanta, Washington D.C., Los Angeles.
   • Connected cities: New York, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Charlotte.

Notable Quotes

• “I didn’t want to have any regrets about not trying.”
• “We need to have a place where we feel comfortable.”
• “It’s in everybody’s interest that Black-owned businesses grow and scale.”

#BEST

#SHMS

#STRAW

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michelle Lilly.

A cryptocurrency and blockchain educator and entrepreneur. Here's a summary of the key points discussed:

🎙️ Main Themes and Highlights Michelle Lilly’s Background

• Entered the cryptocurrency space in 2017.
• Initially lost money in a scam but used the experience to educate herself.
• Became the first African-American woman with a master’s degree in blockchain and digital currency from the University of Nicosia.

Understanding Cryptocurrency

• Bitcoin is described as a protocol, not just a currency—used for value storage and transfer.
• Ethereum is highlighted for its smart contract capabilities and utility.
• Cryptocurrencies are a hybrid between stock and currency—they have utility like stock and liquidity like currency.

Why Bitcoin Has Value

• Scarcity: Only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist.
• Deflationary: Bitcoin undergoes a “halving” every four years, reducing the rate of new coins.
• Decentralization: Not controlled by any central authority, making it secure and transparent.

NFTs and the Metaverse

• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique digital assets, often used for art and music.
• Artists can sell directly to consumers and earn royalties on resales.
• The metaverse is explained as a 3D version of the internet (Web 3.0), where users can own digital land and assets.

Empowering Underserved Communities

• Michelle emphasizes the importance of African-American and female participation in crypto and blockchain.
• Encourages people to educate themselves and not wait for permission to participate in new financial systems.

Practical Advice

• You don’t need a lot of money to start investing in crypto.
• Understanding the current financial system is just as important as learning about the new one.
• Consistency, self-awareness, and openness to criticism are key to success.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michelle Lilly.

A cryptocurrency and blockchain educator and entrepreneur. Here's a summary of the key points discussed:

🎙️ Main Themes and Highlights Michelle Lilly’s Background

• Entered the cryptocurrency space in 2017.
• Initially lost money in a scam but used the experience to educate herself.
• Became the first African-American woman with a master’s degree in blockchain and digital currency from the University of Nicosia.

Understanding Cryptocurrency

• Bitcoin is described as a protocol, not just a currency—used for value storage and transfer.
• Ethereum is highlighted for its smart contract capabilities and utility.
• Cryptocurrencies are a hybrid between stock and currency—they have utility like stock and liquidity like currency.

Why Bitcoin Has Value

• Scarcity: Only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist.
• Deflationary: Bitcoin undergoes a “halving” every four years, reducing the rate of new coins.
• Decentralization: Not controlled by any central authority, making it secure and transparent.

NFTs and the Metaverse

• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique digital assets, often used for art and music.
• Artists can sell directly to consumers and earn royalties on resales.
• The metaverse is explained as a 3D version of the internet (Web 3.0), where users can own digital land and assets.

Empowering Underserved Communities

• Michelle emphasizes the importance of African-American and female participation in crypto and blockchain.
• Encourages people to educate themselves and not wait for permission to participate in new financial systems.

Practical Advice

• You don’t need a lot of money to start investing in crypto.
• Understanding the current financial system is just as important as learning about the new one.
• Consistency, self-awareness, and openness to criticism are key to success.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michelle Lilly.

A cryptocurrency and blockchain educator and entrepreneur. Here's a summary of the key points discussed:

🎙️ Main Themes and Highlights Michelle Lilly’s Background

• Entered the cryptocurrency space in 2017.
• Initially lost money in a scam but used the experience to educate herself.
• Became the first African-American woman with a master’s degree in blockchain and digital currency from the University of Nicosia.

Understanding Cryptocurrency

• Bitcoin is described as a protocol, not just a currency—used for value storage and transfer.
• Ethereum is highlighted for its smart contract capabilities and utility.
• Cryptocurrencies are a hybrid between stock and currency—they have utility like stock and liquidity like currency.

Why Bitcoin Has Value

• Scarcity: Only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist.
• Deflationary: Bitcoin undergoes a “halving” every four years, reducing the rate of new coins.
• Decentralization: Not controlled by any central authority, making it secure and transparent.

NFTs and the Metaverse

• NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) are unique digital assets, often used for art and music.
• Artists can sell directly to consumers and earn royalties on resales.
• The metaverse is explained as a 3D version of the internet (Web 3.0), where users can own digital land and assets.

Empowering Underserved Communities

• Michelle emphasizes the importance of African-American and female participation in crypto and blockchain.
• Encourages people to educate themselves and not wait for permission to participate in new financial systems.

Practical Advice

• You don’t need a lot of money to start investing in crypto.
• Understanding the current financial system is just as important as learning about the new one.
• Consistency, self-awareness, and openness to criticism are key to success.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Courtney Glaudé.

📝 Summary of the Interview

Courtney Glaudé, an award-winning filmmaker, writer, and director from Houston, Texas, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss his creative journey, his role in Tyler Perry’s production universe, and his passion for storytelling. Glaudé is the writer, director, and producer for Season 4 of Zatima on BET+, and he holds an overall deal with Tyler Perry Studios, a rare and powerful endorsement of his talent. The conversation explored his roots, creative process, mentorship under Tyler Perry, and his commitment to emotionally gripping narratives that tackle complex social issues.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Tyler Perry’s Mentorship & Overall Deal

• Glaudé was entrusted with writing, directing, and producing Season 4 of Zatima.
• Tyler Perry gave him full creative control, saying: “You like Zatima? It’s yours.”
• The overall deal means Perry funds Glaudé’s projects and helps pitch them to major streaming platforms.

2. Creative Process & Directing Style

• Glaudé writes with the shot in mind, visualizing scenes as he scripts.
• He adapts creatively when budget or location constraints arise.
• His style is thriller-driven, even when tackling emotional or social themes like dementia.

3. Zatima Season 4

• The show centers on Zach and Fatima’s relationship, exploring real-life romantic challenges.
• Glaudé brings a new emotional depth and rollercoaster storytelling to the series.
• He collaborates closely with the cast, who help maintain character authenticity.

4. Houston Roots & Hustle Mentality

• Raised in Fifth Ward, Houston, with Louisiana family roots.
• Self-taught filmmaker: learned through books, Google, and observing professionals.
• Hustle and persistence were key: “If someone told me no, I figured out how to do it myself.”

5. Breakthrough with Monique

• His indie thriller The Reading, starring Monique, became the #1 film on BET+.
• This success led to his introduction to Tyler Perry and the overall deal.

6. Legacy & Motivation

• Glaudé is driven by creating a legacy for his daughter.
• He wants to build a self-sustaining empire she can inherit.
• “I don’t feel like I work. I’m creating stories from my head.”

7. Social Impact Storytelling

• Tackles topics like mental health, trauma, and dementia through compelling narratives.
• Upcoming feature film Old Gray Mare explores dementia in a thriller format.

8. Tyler Perry Studios Experience

• Described as a “Disneyland for creators” with 12 sound stages and versatile sets.
• Efficient production model with on-site housing, catering, and rapid turnaround.
• Studios are rented by major productions like Black Panther and Coming to America.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “Just because God told it to me doesn’t mean He told it to everybody else.”
• “If you believe it, I’m not dreaming big enough.”
• “Tyler Perry Studios is like boot camp for creators.”
• “I want my films to make people feel something.”
• “I’m the person they tone down.” (on his intense storytelling style)

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.