Two-time Emmy and three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jamie and Jilea Hemmings.

Business: Nourish + Bloom Market
Claim to Fame: The world’s first Black-owned autonomous grocery store

🧭 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight the Hemmings’ innovative approach to solving food insecurity through technology, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment. The interview explores their journey from corporate careers to tech entrepreneurs and retail disruptors, emphasizing their mission to eliminate food deserts and build generational wealth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Mission-Driven Innovation

• Nourish + Bloom Market was born from a personal need for healthier food options for their autistic son.
• Their stores use AI-powered, frictionless checkout to provide 24/7 access to fresh food in underserved areas.

2. Tech Meets Purpose

• Despite no formal tech training, they developed two scheduling platforms (for cannabis and pharma) before launching their grocery concept.
• They became the first in the U.S. to accept EBT/SNAP in an autonomous store environment.

3. Family & Legacy

• The Hemmings are raising three children and caring for an aging parent while running their business.
• Their children are involved in operations, reinforcing the idea of building legacy in real time.

4. Community Empowerment

• They focus on dignity in access, ensuring that all customers, regardless of income, can shop equally.
• They support local farms and promote workforce innovation to prepare communities for the tech economy.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “They are the visionary co-founders of Nourish + Bloom Market, the world’s first Black-owned, autonomous grocery store.”
• “Driven by a mission to eliminate food deserts and empower underserved communities.”
• “We’re building legacy in real time.”
• “Just because you need assistance doesn’t mean you should lose dignity.”
• “AI is here. It’s not going anywhere.”

#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 Jamie and Jilea Hemmings.

Business: Nourish + Bloom Market
Claim to Fame: The world’s first Black-owned autonomous grocery store

🧭 Purpose of the Interview

To spotlight the Hemmings’ innovative approach to solving food insecurity through technology, entrepreneurship, and community empowerment. The interview explores their journey from corporate careers to tech entrepreneurs and retail disruptors, emphasizing their mission to eliminate food deserts and build generational wealth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Mission-Driven Innovation

• Nourish + Bloom Market was born from a personal need for healthier food options for their autistic son.
• Their stores use AI-powered, frictionless checkout to provide 24/7 access to fresh food in underserved areas.

2. Tech Meets Purpose

• Despite no formal tech training, they developed two scheduling platforms (for cannabis and pharma) before launching their grocery concept.
• They became the first in the U.S. to accept EBT/SNAP in an autonomous store environment.

3. Family & Legacy

• The Hemmings are raising three children and caring for an aging parent while running their business.
• Their children are involved in operations, reinforcing the idea of building legacy in real time.

4. Community Empowerment

• They focus on dignity in access, ensuring that all customers, regardless of income, can shop equally.
• They support local farms and promote workforce innovation to prepare communities for the tech economy.

💬 Notable Quotes

• “They are the visionary co-founders of Nourish + Bloom Market, the world’s first Black-owned, autonomous grocery store.”
• “Driven by a mission to eliminate food deserts and empower underserved communities.”
• “We’re building legacy in real time.”
• “Just because you need assistance doesn’t mean you should lose dignity.”
• “AI is here. It’s not going anywhere.”

#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 Mildred J. Mills.

Topic: Life journey, resilience, and her memoir Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs, and Rising Above Her Roots

Mildred J. Mills shares her powerful story of growing up on a cotton farm in Alabama as one of 17 children, overcoming domestic violence, poverty, and systemic barriers to become a successful IT executive, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker. Her memoir is a testament to resilience, faith, and self-determination.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Promote her memoir and its message of overcoming adversity.
2. Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners with her story of resilience and reinvention.
3. Highlight the importance of storytelling as a healing and motivational tool.
4. Encourage faith over fear in personal and professional growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🌾 Humble Beginnings

• Grew up on a 60-acre cotton farm in Whitaker, Alabama.
• Picking cotton was physically brutal and emotionally taxing.

“You’re bent at a 90-degree angle all day picking cotton… it hurts.”

📚 Writing the Memoir

• Wrote the book after age 60 to heal and share wisdom.
• Did not consult her husband before publishing — it was her story to tell.

“I didn’t want anybody telling me… ‘Why didn’t you do it this way?’ It is my story.”

💪 Resilience Defined

• Resilience means getting up after being knocked down.
• She credits her mother’s wisdom and her own determination.

“Failure is not an option… I wasn’t going back to that cotton field.”

🧠 Faith Over Fear

• Her guiding principle is faith over fear — trusting in the journey despite uncertainty.

“Fear sits on your shoulder and says you’re not good enough. Faith says walk through the door.”

🏫 Education & Mentorship

• A white teacher saw potential in her and helped her escape the cotton fields by recommending a tech school.
• Her father, despite initial hesitation, paid for her education in cash.

“He paid \$500 in 1969 — a lot of money for a farmer.”

👩‍💻 Career & Independence

• Became an IT executive, starting in 1969 as a computer programmer.
• Advocates for women’s financial independence and self-worth.

“God gave me gifts that I must share… I’m not going to depend on somebody else.”

📖 Future Projects

• Upcoming book: The Hope Club — explores the impact of incarceration on families, especially children.

“I’ve seen what such a life can do to children… it breaks up families.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Do the best you can with what you have.” — Her mother’s mantra.
• “Don’t expect someone else to pay for your dreams.”
• “I’m no victim. I’ve never been a victim.”
• “We’re not dreaming big enough.”

#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 Cheryl McKissack Daniels, 

Topic: Legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurship of the McKissack family, as detailed in the book The Black Family Who Built America.

Cheryl shares the powerful story of her family's 230-year legacy in architecture and construction, making McKissack & McKissack the oldest minority woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the U.S. The conversation explores themes of generational resilience, Black excellence, business strategy, and personal growth.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Highlight the McKissack family’s historical and cultural impact on American infrastructure and Black entrepreneurship.
2. Promote the book The Black Family Who Built America as a record of legacy and inspiration.
3. Inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs with lessons on perseverance, succession planning, and self-identity.
4. Address the importance of preserving Black history in the face of cultural erasure.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🏗️ Legacy & Impact

• McKissack & McKissack has contributed to major U.S. infrastructure projects like:
  • Barclays Center
  • JFK Terminal One
  • LaGuardia Airport
  • Penn Station
  • Lincoln Financial Field

“We are the fifth generation. Right. And we're Black in America.”

📚 Historical Significance

• The family legacy began with Moses McKissack, who was enslaved and later became a builder.
• Cheryl’s ancestors were the first licensed Black architects in America (licenses 117 and 118 in Tennessee).

“They became the first Black licensed architects in America… and helped get licensed in 22 other states.”

💼 Business Wisdom

• Cheryl emphasizes the importance of:
  • Succession planning
  • Understanding both technical and political buyers
  • Building relationships before you need them

“You better have that relationship before you need it.”

🧠 The 5 Ps of Family Resilience

1. Perseverance
2. Persistence
3. Preparedness
4. Purpose
5. Prayer

“Sometimes you do get up in the morning and you say it's not for me… You have to come back and meditate on the fact that you're a winner.”

🧘‍♀️ Personal Growth & Mental Health

• Cheryl discusses overcoming stress, rediscovering herself after a difficult marriage, and the importance of meditation.

“Being yourself is what we're talking about… I recognize that I am currently feeling stressed out. So what do I need to do?”

👩‍👧‍👧 Women in Leadership

• Cheryl’s mother took over the business after her father’s stroke, despite societal barriers.

“She only knew the telephone number to the office at that time… but she knew deep inside that she wanted to hold on for the fifth generation.”

🎥 Representation & Media

• The book and Cheryl’s story aim to counteract negative portrayals of Black people in media and history.

“You may not have known about Black excellence. You just ignored it. But we exist.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Black people built America. Now, that's the point we're making here.”
• “You have to say the opposite to yourself. And you have to put one foot in front of the other.”
• “This book is a receipt to say we are around. We have a foundation. We're not going anywhere.”

#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 Mildred J. Mills.

Topic: Life journey, resilience, and her memoir Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs, and Rising Above Her Roots

Mildred J. Mills shares her powerful story of growing up on a cotton farm in Alabama as one of 17 children, overcoming domestic violence, poverty, and systemic barriers to become a successful IT executive, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker. Her memoir is a testament to resilience, faith, and self-determination.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Promote her memoir and its message of overcoming adversity.
2. Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners with her story of resilience and reinvention.
3. Highlight the importance of storytelling as a healing and motivational tool.
4. Encourage faith over fear in personal and professional growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🌾 Humble Beginnings

• Grew up on a 60-acre cotton farm in Whitaker, Alabama.
• Picking cotton was physically brutal and emotionally taxing.

“You’re bent at a 90-degree angle all day picking cotton… it hurts.”

📚 Writing the Memoir

• Wrote the book after age 60 to heal and share wisdom.
• Did not consult her husband before publishing — it was her story to tell.

“I didn’t want anybody telling me… ‘Why didn’t you do it this way?’ It is my story.”

💪 Resilience Defined

• Resilience means getting up after being knocked down.
• She credits her mother’s wisdom and her own determination.

“Failure is not an option… I wasn’t going back to that cotton field.”

🧠 Faith Over Fear

• Her guiding principle is faith over fear — trusting in the journey despite uncertainty.

“Fear sits on your shoulder and says you’re not good enough. Faith says walk through the door.”

🏫 Education & Mentorship

• A white teacher saw potential in her and helped her escape the cotton fields by recommending a tech school.
• Her father, despite initial hesitation, paid for her education in cash.

“He paid \$500 in 1969 — a lot of money for a farmer.”

👩‍💻 Career & Independence

• Became an IT executive, starting in 1969 as a computer programmer.
• Advocates for women’s financial independence and self-worth.

“God gave me gifts that I must share… I’m not going to depend on somebody else.”

📖 Future Projects

• Upcoming book: The Hope Club — explores the impact of incarceration on families, especially children.

“I’ve seen what such a life can do to children… it breaks up families.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Do the best you can with what you have.” — Her mother’s mantra.
• “Don’t expect someone else to pay for your dreams.”
• “I’m no victim. I’ve never been a victim.”
• “We’re not dreaming big enough.”

#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 Cheryl McKissack Daniels, 

Topic: Legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurship of the McKissack family, as detailed in the book The Black Family Who Built America.

Cheryl shares the powerful story of her family's 230-year legacy in architecture and construction, making McKissack & McKissack the oldest minority woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the U.S. The conversation explores themes of generational resilience, Black excellence, business strategy, and personal growth.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Highlight the McKissack family’s historical and cultural impact on American infrastructure and Black entrepreneurship.
2. Promote the book The Black Family Who Built America as a record of legacy and inspiration.
3. Inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs with lessons on perseverance, succession planning, and self-identity.
4. Address the importance of preserving Black history in the face of cultural erasure.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🏗️ Legacy & Impact

• McKissack & McKissack has contributed to major U.S. infrastructure projects like:
  • Barclays Center
  • JFK Terminal One
  • LaGuardia Airport
  • Penn Station
  • Lincoln Financial Field

“We are the fifth generation. Right. And we're Black in America.”

📚 Historical Significance

• The family legacy began with Moses McKissack, who was enslaved and later became a builder.
• Cheryl’s ancestors were the first licensed Black architects in America (licenses 117 and 118 in Tennessee).

“They became the first Black licensed architects in America… and helped get licensed in 22 other states.”

💼 Business Wisdom

• Cheryl emphasizes the importance of:
  • Succession planning
  • Understanding both technical and political buyers
  • Building relationships before you need them

“You better have that relationship before you need it.”

🧠 The 5 Ps of Family Resilience

1. Perseverance
2. Persistence
3. Preparedness
4. Purpose
5. Prayer

“Sometimes you do get up in the morning and you say it's not for me… You have to come back and meditate on the fact that you're a winner.”

🧘‍♀️ Personal Growth & Mental Health

• Cheryl discusses overcoming stress, rediscovering herself after a difficult marriage, and the importance of meditation.

“Being yourself is what we're talking about… I recognize that I am currently feeling stressed out. So what do I need to do?”

👩‍👧‍👧 Women in Leadership

• Cheryl’s mother took over the business after her father’s stroke, despite societal barriers.

“She only knew the telephone number to the office at that time… but she knew deep inside that she wanted to hold on for the fifth generation.”

🎥 Representation & Media

• The book and Cheryl’s story aim to counteract negative portrayals of Black people in media and history.

“You may not have known about Black excellence. You just ignored it. But we exist.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Black people built America. Now, that's the point we're making here.”
• “You have to say the opposite to yourself. And you have to put one foot in front of the other.”
• “This book is a receipt to say we are around. We have a foundation. We're not going anywhere.”

#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 Mildred J. Mills.

Topic: Life journey, resilience, and her memoir Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs, and Rising Above Her Roots

Mildred J. Mills shares her powerful story of growing up on a cotton farm in Alabama as one of 17 children, overcoming domestic violence, poverty, and systemic barriers to become a successful IT executive, author, podcaster, and motivational speaker. Her memoir is a testament to resilience, faith, and self-determination.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Promote her memoir and its message of overcoming adversity.
2. Inspire entrepreneurs and small business owners with her story of resilience and reinvention.
3. Highlight the importance of storytelling as a healing and motivational tool.
4. Encourage faith over fear in personal and professional growth.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🌾 Humble Beginnings

• Grew up on a 60-acre cotton farm in Whitaker, Alabama.
• Picking cotton was physically brutal and emotionally taxing.

“You’re bent at a 90-degree angle all day picking cotton… it hurts.”

📚 Writing the Memoir

• Wrote the book after age 60 to heal and share wisdom.
• Did not consult her husband before publishing — it was her story to tell.

“I didn’t want anybody telling me… ‘Why didn’t you do it this way?’ It is my story.”

💪 Resilience Defined

• Resilience means getting up after being knocked down.
• She credits her mother’s wisdom and her own determination.

“Failure is not an option… I wasn’t going back to that cotton field.”

🧠 Faith Over Fear

• Her guiding principle is faith over fear — trusting in the journey despite uncertainty.

“Fear sits on your shoulder and says you’re not good enough. Faith says walk through the door.”

🏫 Education & Mentorship

• A white teacher saw potential in her and helped her escape the cotton fields by recommending a tech school.
• Her father, despite initial hesitation, paid for her education in cash.

“He paid \$500 in 1969 — a lot of money for a farmer.”

👩‍💻 Career & Independence

• Became an IT executive, starting in 1969 as a computer programmer.
• Advocates for women’s financial independence and self-worth.

“God gave me gifts that I must share… I’m not going to depend on somebody else.”

📖 Future Projects

• Upcoming book: The Hope Club — explores the impact of incarceration on families, especially children.

“I’ve seen what such a life can do to children… it breaks up families.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Do the best you can with what you have.” — Her mother’s mantra.
• “Don’t expect someone else to pay for your dreams.”
• “I’m no victim. I’ve never been a victim.”
• “We’re not dreaming big enough.”

#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 Cheryl McKissack Daniels, 

Topic: Legacy, resilience, and entrepreneurship of the McKissack family, as detailed in the book The Black Family Who Built America.

Cheryl shares the powerful story of her family's 230-year legacy in architecture and construction, making McKissack & McKissack the oldest minority woman-owned professional design and construction firm in the U.S. The conversation explores themes of generational resilience, Black excellence, business strategy, and personal growth.

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

1. Highlight the McKissack family’s historical and cultural impact on American infrastructure and Black entrepreneurship.
2. Promote the book The Black Family Who Built America as a record of legacy and inspiration.
3. Inspire small business owners and entrepreneurs with lessons on perseverance, succession planning, and self-identity.
4. Address the importance of preserving Black history in the face of cultural erasure.

🔑 Key Takeaways 🏗️ Legacy & Impact

• McKissack & McKissack has contributed to major U.S. infrastructure projects like:
  • Barclays Center
  • JFK Terminal One
  • LaGuardia Airport
  • Penn Station
  • Lincoln Financial Field

“We are the fifth generation. Right. And we're Black in America.”

📚 Historical Significance

• The family legacy began with Moses McKissack, who was enslaved and later became a builder.
• Cheryl’s ancestors were the first licensed Black architects in America (licenses 117 and 118 in Tennessee).

“They became the first Black licensed architects in America… and helped get licensed in 22 other states.”

💼 Business Wisdom

• Cheryl emphasizes the importance of:
  • Succession planning
  • Understanding both technical and political buyers
  • Building relationships before you need them

“You better have that relationship before you need it.”

🧠 The 5 Ps of Family Resilience

1. Perseverance
2. Persistence
3. Preparedness
4. Purpose
5. Prayer

“Sometimes you do get up in the morning and you say it's not for me… You have to come back and meditate on the fact that you're a winner.”

🧘‍♀️ Personal Growth & Mental Health

• Cheryl discusses overcoming stress, rediscovering herself after a difficult marriage, and the importance of meditation.

“Being yourself is what we're talking about… I recognize that I am currently feeling stressed out. So what do I need to do?”

👩‍👧‍👧 Women in Leadership

• Cheryl’s mother took over the business after her father’s stroke, despite societal barriers.

“She only knew the telephone number to the office at that time… but she knew deep inside that she wanted to hold on for the fifth generation.”

🎥 Representation & Media

• The book and Cheryl’s story aim to counteract negative portrayals of Black people in media and history.

“You may not have known about Black excellence. You just ignored it. But we exist.”

💬 Memorable Quotes

• “Black people built America. Now, that's the point we're making here.”
• “You have to say the opposite to yourself. And you have to put one foot in front of the other.”
• “This book is a receipt to say we are around. We have a foundation. We're not going anywhere.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Steve Harvey Morning Show for Wednesday, October 30th, 2025: Steve Harvey's Morning Inspiration | Show Open | Run That Prank Back - "Bed Bugs" | Ask The CLO | Entertainment News|  Favorite Halloween Candy | Steve Harvey's Voicemail | Nephew Tommy's Prank - "Don’t Let These White Folks Get Your ___ Whooped" | Strawberry Letter - "Her Begging Best Friend" Parts 1-2 | Sports Talk | Escaped Monkey Update |Social Media Advice | Drawless Detroit Police Officer | Would You Rather | Steve Harvey's Closing Remarks

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.