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Making A Difference: A trailblazing media executive at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio.

2025-10-0540:52

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Amy DuBois Barnett. 📝 Summary of the Interview Amy DuBois Barnett, a trailblazing media executive and author, joined Rushion McDonald to discuss her career, her upcoming debut novel If I Ruled the World, and her insights on success, authenticity, and navigating the evolving media landscape. The conversation covered her historic role as the first Black woman to helm a major mainstream U.S. magazine, her experiences in media and publishing, the importance of Black voices, and her journey toward becoming a novelist. 🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Career Milestones & Legacy Amy made history as the first Black woman editor-in-chief of a major mainstream U.S. magazine (Teen People). She held leadership roles at Harper’s Bazaar, Ebony, Honey Magazine, and digital platforms like BET and The Grio. Her editorial style focused on humanizing success, sharing personal stories and lessons rather than just promoting content. 2. New Novel: If I Ruled the World Set in late 1990s/early 2000s New York, the novel follows Nikki, a woman navigating the fashion and music magazine world. Themes include misogyny in hip hop, professional ambition, friendship, and self-discovery. The title is inspired by the Nas and Lauryn Hill song, and Lauryn Hill was the first cover of Honey Magazine under Amy’s leadership. Amy envisions the novel as a TV series, and is actively working toward that goal. 3. Importance of Preorders Preorders are critical for debut novelists to hit bestseller lists. All preorders count toward first-week sales, which are essential for making lists like the New York Times Bestseller. 4. Authenticity & Black Media Amy emphasized the need for authentic Black voices in media, especially in today’s political climate. She praised independent platforms and figures like Roland Martin, Joy Reid, and Don Lemon for maintaining integrity. 5. Success Principles Success requires more than talent—it’s about energy, attitude, collaboration, and kindness. She highlighted the importance of networking through genuine relationships, not just transactional exchanges. Believing in oneself is essential: “The universe will not give you an opportunity that you don’t think you deserve.” 6. Pivoting & Resilience Amy’s career involved multiple pivots—from finance to fashion to media. She stressed the importance of recognizing when to pivot and manifesting goals through vision and hard work. 7. Print vs. Digital Media Print magazines offer permanence and thoughtful journalism, while digital media provides speed and volume. She misses the visual artistry of print, like cover shoots and fashion spreads. 8. Personal Notes Amy’s son is a music producer and DJ, studying at Drexel University. Rushion and Amy have a long-standing friendship dating back to 2012, when she was at Ebony and he was producing the Steve Harvey show. 💬 Notable Quotes “You have to believe that you deserve all of the opportunity.” “Networking is not about handing out business cards. It’s about building relationships.” “Magazines have a permanence that made you incredibly careful.” “I’m manifesting big things.” “We are out here flawed and just trying to find success, love, and fulfillment like everyone else.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brand Building: From Detroit projects to Hollywood, she inspires readers to embrace their authentic selves.

2025-10-0515:22

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Loni Love. Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, and author. The conversation centers around her memoir, I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have To, and offers a rich blend of personal storytelling, cultural insight, and motivational wisdom. 📘 About the Memoir Title: I Tried to Change So You Don’t Have ToTone: Comedic, honest, emotional, and empoweringPurpose: To share Loni’s journey from the Detroit projects to Hollywood, while inspiring readers to embrace their authentic selves. 🌟 Key Themes & Highlights 🏙️ Early Life & Upbringing Grew up in the Brewster Projects in Detroit. Raised by a strong community of Black women, including her mother, babysitter Miss Brooks (a Jehovah’s Witness), and other influential women like her Girl Scout leader and Miss Fever. Emphasizes the importance of the “village” in shaping her values and resilience. 🎓 Education & HBCU Experience Attended Prairie View A&M University (an HBCU), where she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Credits her college experience and sorority sisters for bailing her out of jail during a pivotal moment in her youth. Studied electrical engineering and later worked at General Motors before transitioning into entertainment. 😂 Humor & Hardship The memoir balances levity with serious topics like racism, wrongful arrest, and self-doubt. Chapter 8, where she’s thrown in jail for trespassing, is highlighted as both hilarious and eye-opening. Each chapter ends with a joke to bring levity to even the darkest moments. 💪 Empowerment & Mentorship Encourages readers to trust themselves and not conform to others’ expectations. Discusses the importance of mentorship and how someone saw potential in her beyond her factory job. Shares how Rushion McDonald personally mentored her during a difficult time in her TV career. 🎭 Career & Creativity Talks about her journey into comedy, acting, and co-hosting The Real. Reflects on her first film role in Soul Plane and the realities of the entertainment industry. Advocates for journaling and documenting personal history, especially for Black voices. 💬 Memorable Quotes “This is a love letter to my fans.” “If you feel hopeless, if you need some inspiration… understand that you are from a strong stock of people.” “We have to share our stories to show them the experiences that we've come through.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keep Winning Info #1 - Tips to help you get pay raises and job promotions

2025-10-0526:01

In 2017, two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald launched his podcast, Money Making Conversations Master Class. 🔑 Core Message: Understanding Your Value Proposition Rushion emphasizes the importance of knowing your value proposition—both in your career and personal life. He defines it as: A declarative statement that explains what makes you unique, why you're the best choice, and what justifies your advancement or compensation. 🧠 Key Concepts & Lessons 1. Value Proposition in Career Without a clear value proposition, you risk being overlooked for promotions and raises. Employers need to know what you want and what you bring to the table. Rashawn shares his own experience at IBM, where not knowing his value proposition led to stagnation until he clarified his goals. 2. The PLAN Framework Rushion introduces a motivational acronym for success: P – Prepare L – Learn A – Adjust N – Navigate This framework is essential for setting goals and achieving success. 3. "Why Not Me?" Mindset Encourages listeners to challenge self-doubt and embrace their potential. This phrase is meant to be a daily affirmation to inspire action and confidence. 4. Avoiding Negativity Rashawn warns against surrounding yourself with negative people who gossip or discourage ambition. Instead, seek out like-minded individuals who support growth. 5. Age Is Not a Barrier Success is not limited by age—whether you're 19 or 65, it's never too late to define your value and pursue your goals. 📌 Notable Quotes “You can't be successful unless you have a plan.” “Don't wait around for an opportunity. Just do it.” “Your greatness can be achieved by your own personal effort.” #BEST #STRAW #SHMSSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.