1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: My next sess has been the president's last CEO of 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: the Urban League of Greater atlantisin's two thousand eight. She's 3 00:00:07,080 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: well known across the country for her commitment and innovative 4 00:00:10,000 --> 00:00:14,320 Speaker 1: approaches to education and advancing the black community through economic 5 00:00:14,360 --> 00:00:18,320 Speaker 1: empowerment and urban development. She knows how to build partnerships 6 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: in the public and private sectors and drive the Urban 7 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:25,240 Speaker 1: League's impact on youth, adults, and families through its initiatives 8 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: and programs. Please work on the money making conversations. The 9 00:00:28,640 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: presidents last CEO of the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, 10 00:00:32,760 --> 00:00:40,519 Speaker 1: Nancy Flake Johnson, and your audience, thank you for this opportunity. Well, 11 00:00:40,520 --> 00:00:42,120 Speaker 1: first of all, thank you for coming on the show. 12 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 1: Because my audience is about uh information and getting information 13 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 1: with people who are experts. I consider you an expert 14 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:52,080 Speaker 1: because you're uh, you're changing lives. You know. My show 15 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:55,000 Speaker 1: us about giving information so people can change their lives, 16 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:57,560 Speaker 1: even as a group or an individual. You can be 17 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:00,560 Speaker 1: a small business, you can be an everyday worker, Bree. 18 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:03,360 Speaker 1: Celebrities on the show, and industry experts like you too. 19 00:01:03,960 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 1: Kind of like, I'm not the expert, so what I 20 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: didn't want to do a show? Mr Johnson was doing 21 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 1: a show where I was just throwing out height. So 22 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:13,320 Speaker 1: I felt that by including an expert like you, you 23 00:01:13,360 --> 00:01:16,000 Speaker 1: can give a level of legitimacy when I talk about 24 00:01:16,000 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 1: going this direction. So tell us what is the Urban 25 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:23,000 Speaker 1: League of Georgia. The Urban the Urban League of Greater 26 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:28,039 Speaker 1: Atlanta is a civil rights organization first and foremost that 27 00:01:28,160 --> 00:01:32,640 Speaker 1: focuses on the economic empowerment of Black people. That's what 28 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:36,120 Speaker 1: we do, and so each and every day we focus 29 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:39,880 Speaker 1: on what we call kind of the fundamental, So what 30 00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:45,920 Speaker 1: every youth, adult and family we believe wants in this country. 31 00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: We want an opportunity to earn and live a quality life. 32 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,480 Speaker 1: And so we are part of a network. There are 33 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:58,160 Speaker 1: ninety Urban League affiliates across the country. We're part of 34 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:02,720 Speaker 1: UH and under the umbrella of the National Urban League 35 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 1: that is led by Mark Mareal and headquartered in New 36 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:09,280 Speaker 1: York City. Here in Atlanta, we will celebrate one hundred 37 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 1: years of service to the Metro Atlantic community in so 38 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 1: you know, this is what we've been here to do 39 00:02:17,440 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 1: for almost a hundred years, and that's just support black 40 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:23,680 Speaker 1: people to be their best. Okay, since you you've been 41 00:02:23,720 --> 00:02:27,360 Speaker 1: at we've been at the Urban League of Greater Atlantis 42 00:02:27,440 --> 00:02:30,799 Speaker 1: is two thousand and eight, and that's that's that's over 43 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,400 Speaker 1: a decade. So what period of what I guess you 44 00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:37,480 Speaker 1: could say, have things gotten better in your goal to 45 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:41,360 Speaker 1: empower the community and empower initiatives that will make a 46 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: youth and adults and families in the African American community 47 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:48,600 Speaker 1: to live a better life. Well, you know what, when 48 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 1: I started in two thousand and eight, it was the 49 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 1: year that Barack Obama was elected to press to the 50 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:58,560 Speaker 1: presidency UH, and we were in the midst of what 51 00:02:59,400 --> 00:03:03,160 Speaker 1: we now know as the Great Recession, and so I 52 00:03:03,280 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 1: took the helm at a time when the Urban League 53 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: and many of our partner organizations were needed. Most Blacks 54 00:03:11,120 --> 00:03:17,520 Speaker 1: were disproportionately let go on jobs. Our small businesses um 55 00:03:17,960 --> 00:03:23,440 Speaker 1: UH were definitely suffered without access to capital and markets, 56 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 1: and so it was a challenging time. But the fact 57 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: that Barack Obama was in office actually turned out to 58 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: be an opportunity for the Urban League of Greater Atlanta 59 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 1: and many Urban Leagues across this country to gain access 60 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 1: to vital federal resources that we were able able to 61 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:51,360 Speaker 1: deploy to help black people and people in urban communities 62 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: across the country to plug back in to the new economy. 63 00:03:56,880 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 1: You know, things changed in oh eight and many many ways. Uh, 64 00:04:00,800 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 1: the technological revolution took place. A lot of the jobs 65 00:04:04,760 --> 00:04:08,480 Speaker 1: that black people used to have access to went away. 66 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: A lot of black professionals were disproportionately pushed out, and 67 00:04:15,040 --> 00:04:19,600 Speaker 1: there are many who have never recovered. So our job 68 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 1: is to educate the community on the new economy, where 69 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:29,359 Speaker 1: is the money being made, so that we can garner 70 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:33,480 Speaker 1: the skills and the talents that we have to plug 71 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:37,279 Speaker 1: into those opportunities for the benefit of our families and 72 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 1: our communities. Okay, cool, Now you said you started off 73 00:04:40,320 --> 00:04:45,200 Speaker 1: saying that the Urberly is a civil rights organization. That's correct. 74 00:04:45,360 --> 00:04:47,960 Speaker 1: How does want to be? So? Is what can I 75 00:04:48,040 --> 00:04:52,920 Speaker 1: say this of the a CP Urbanly What separates the 76 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 1: conversation between you two. Well, here's what binds us. What 77 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:03,040 Speaker 1: binds us is we we understand as civil rights organizations 78 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: how the country works. It works up a system of laws, 79 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:14,440 Speaker 1: The people who make the laws control the purse strings, 80 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:19,920 Speaker 1: and so as civil rights organizations, we are partners as 81 00:05:19,960 --> 00:05:27,799 Speaker 1: it relates to voter registration, voter education, voter mobilization, educating 82 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: our people that we have to participate in the process 83 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:37,560 Speaker 1: so that we can gain access to opportunities. The distinction 84 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:42,440 Speaker 1: between us is that n double a CPS primary focus 85 00:05:42,720 --> 00:05:47,839 Speaker 1: is on justice and civil rights and ensuring that our 86 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:52,760 Speaker 1: people maintain our freedoms. Then they are the champions in 87 00:05:52,800 --> 00:05:58,359 Speaker 1: that space. Urbanly complements that work because we focus on 88 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 1: direct service delay of verise two families to ensure that 89 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:07,680 Speaker 1: we support the fundamentals the ability to earn a living. 90 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 1: Everything falls apart rashon if you don't have enough income 91 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 1: coming into your household, how does the income come. It's 92 00:06:16,839 --> 00:06:19,880 Speaker 1: either gonna come through employment or it's going to come 93 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:24,719 Speaker 1: through small businesses or business ownership, and so that's one 94 00:06:24,720 --> 00:06:28,720 Speaker 1: of our primary focuses is to directly connect with community 95 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:32,279 Speaker 1: to help people earn a living. The second important thing 96 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 1: is housing and homeownership and wealth building. You've got to 97 00:06:37,440 --> 00:06:40,240 Speaker 1: have a roof over your head for the family to 98 00:06:40,360 --> 00:06:43,360 Speaker 1: be stable, but you can't keep the roof over your 99 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:48,720 Speaker 1: head if you don't have household income. So they're interconnected 100 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:52,840 Speaker 1: and related. We want our families to be healthy and strong, 101 00:06:53,400 --> 00:06:58,000 Speaker 1: and so we help people access healthcare, mental health, all 102 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:01,919 Speaker 1: the basic things that if you're not healthy, happy and 103 00:07:02,040 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 1: whole you can't be successful at earning and keeping the 104 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: roof over your head. And then we help create jobs 105 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:15,400 Speaker 1: by supporting black people to start and grow businesses. That's 106 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:18,560 Speaker 1: how jobs are created in our community. That is how 107 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 1: we build wealth. And then, of course, our youth. We 108 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 1: have a special focus on older youth at the Urban 109 00:07:25,480 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: League of Greater Atlanta. We start with high school kids 110 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: to ensure that they have a solid foundation and graduate 111 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 1: from high school ready for college, careers and life. And 112 00:07:36,920 --> 00:07:41,320 Speaker 1: we reconnect older youth who have high school diplomas or 113 00:07:41,360 --> 00:07:44,760 Speaker 1: who have dropped out but are not on a solid path, 114 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,160 Speaker 1: and we embrace them to tap into their talents and 115 00:07:48,200 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: their passion and their purpose. And so that's what we do. 116 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:56,880 Speaker 1: We're here to help good. Now let's talk. You've broke 117 00:07:56,880 --> 00:07:58,440 Speaker 1: down a lot of segments that I'm gonna go through 118 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: in detail, so we can we can. But before we 119 00:08:00,960 --> 00:08:03,720 Speaker 1: go into that, how does a person become a member 120 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 1: of the Urban League. Okay, The Urban League has two 121 00:08:08,560 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 1: auxiliaries that are our volunteer corps. We have the Urban 122 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 1: League Young Professionals, their chapters throughout the country. I think 123 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 1: it's sixty chapters. Anyone under forty years of the age 124 00:08:23,360 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 1: can become a member of the Urban League and focus 125 00:08:26,880 --> 00:08:31,000 Speaker 1: on four key things. They focus on supporting our work 126 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,679 Speaker 1: at the affiliate to help youth, adults and families. They 127 00:08:34,720 --> 00:08:40,360 Speaker 1: serve as mentors, tutors, instructors, volunteers, um you. They focus 128 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: on professional development. They focus on uh UM voter education 129 00:08:48,000 --> 00:08:52,160 Speaker 1: and registration and mobilization. The other group is our kind 130 00:08:52,160 --> 00:08:54,560 Speaker 1: of forty and over group, and it's called the Guilt 131 00:08:55,080 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 1: and you can become a member of the Guild and 132 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:01,080 Speaker 1: they focus on both of them, how thin us raise money, 133 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:05,800 Speaker 1: stilling our gaps, and just being expanding the capacity of 134 00:09:05,840 --> 00:09:09,199 Speaker 1: the organization. So that's how you can become a member 135 00:09:09,200 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 1: of businesses Companies can become members as well, and you 136 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 1: just go to our website www dot u l g 137 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: A l dot org and you can become a financial 138 00:09:21,440 --> 00:09:26,120 Speaker 1: member of the organization. We appreciate all support absolutely. I 139 00:09:26,160 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: want to break down a couple of areas that this 140 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:30,840 Speaker 1: is money main conversations. And one of the things I 141 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:35,400 Speaker 1: always talk about is entrepreneurship. And we talked about entrepreneurship, 142 00:09:35,559 --> 00:09:39,079 Speaker 1: which in itself is about small business. How does because 143 00:09:39,080 --> 00:09:42,840 Speaker 1: you know, I have Terry Dennison and on from the 144 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:47,000 Speaker 1: s B, A and so, and she was able to 145 00:09:47,000 --> 00:09:50,360 Speaker 1: give me vital information direction for people who are entered 146 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 1: in general, loans and opportunity to educational scores is down there. 147 00:09:55,920 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 1: When comes to the Urban League, from an entrepreneurship standpoint, 148 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 1: what do you have to offer? Okay, we have training 149 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: classes and coaching and so. We have a small Business 150 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:14,000 Speaker 1: Startup Accelerator track for anybody that has operated a business 151 00:10:14,040 --> 00:10:17,520 Speaker 1: for two years or less who wants to learn the 152 00:10:17,559 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: fundamentals on how to be profitable and grow and start 153 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:27,600 Speaker 1: and launch that business. Those classes run periodically. Uh, they 154 00:10:27,679 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 1: are free and all people have to do is go 155 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: to our website, sign up and show up. Show up 156 00:10:35,720 --> 00:10:39,360 Speaker 1: ready to larn. We bring the experts into the classroom, 157 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:44,199 Speaker 1: the bankers, the marketing experts, the HR experts, the lawyers. 158 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: You get to connect with people that are like you starting, 159 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:52,520 Speaker 1: but meet experts that can build your network, which is 160 00:10:52,559 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: really important because when you're starting the business, there are 161 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:58,280 Speaker 1: certain guidelines, certain rules that you need to understand. And 162 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:01,680 Speaker 1: it's not always say it's not just collecting the money, 163 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:03,559 Speaker 1: because that money has to go back out and has 164 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:06,000 Speaker 1: to go out to the right tax locations, the right 165 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 1: employees pay the right fees for rent insurance. There's a 166 00:11:09,440 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 1: lot of things to add up besides I'm making up 167 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:14,880 Speaker 1: and I'm just paying for the for for the items 168 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,120 Speaker 1: that enable me to make the money, and that that 169 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,440 Speaker 1: ten dollars or that one dollars broken up a lot 170 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:21,880 Speaker 1: of different ways when it when it comes down, we're 171 00:11:21,880 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 1: gonna come right back and we're gonna talk more and 172 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 1: more detail. I've really enjoyed this interview about the Urban League. 173 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:28,640 Speaker 1: Is the first time I'm talking to I was spoken 174 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:31,719 Speaker 1: to Miss Nancy Flake Johnson. I'm glad she came over 175 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 1: to the show. She is the President CEO of the 176 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:36,440 Speaker 1: Urban League of Greater Atlanta. She's been next is two 177 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 1: thousand and eight. That's over a decade. She has a 178 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 1: lot to say and we have a lot more to 179 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 1: talk to her about. When we returned back on money 180 00:11:43,280 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: Making Conversations. Hi, just Ra Sean McDonald. You're listening to 181 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:50,640 Speaker 1: money Making Conversations on the phone. It's the President CEO 182 00:11:50,720 --> 00:11:53,960 Speaker 1: of the Urban League of great Atlanta. UM, Miss Nancy 183 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:58,679 Speaker 1: Flake Johnson, Miss Johnson, welcome back to the show. Thank you. 184 00:11:58,840 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: I wanted to try to say this correctly to myself 185 00:12:01,240 --> 00:12:04,000 Speaker 1: because you know, I'm very much aware of what the 186 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 1: Urban Lea name is, but I'm very much not aware 187 00:12:07,640 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 1: of exactly what the early does. Am I? Am I 188 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: wrong in saying that that more information needs to be 189 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:19,600 Speaker 1: distributed about the Urban League to really get a grasp 190 00:12:20,000 --> 00:12:22,719 Speaker 1: for everyday people to come in and take advantage of 191 00:12:22,800 --> 00:12:28,440 Speaker 1: its services. You are absolutely right, um, And that's why 192 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:32,200 Speaker 1: I appreciate this opportunity to come on your show and share. 193 00:12:32,760 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: You know, in the nonprofit sector, we're business too, and 194 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:41,280 Speaker 1: one of the toughest areas to raise money for is 195 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 1: for some of those key functions like marketing departments where 196 00:12:46,679 --> 00:12:50,600 Speaker 1: you have on your staff full time people who support 197 00:12:51,360 --> 00:12:55,840 Speaker 1: promoting your business, etcetera. Uh. The other thing that we 198 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:00,440 Speaker 1: do and UH is you know, we're constantly fighting for 199 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: more resources because we know the needs are so great 200 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:08,000 Speaker 1: and we've been around a long time, but we're not 201 00:13:08,120 --> 00:13:12,080 Speaker 1: a really super big organization. So we've got but we've 202 00:13:12,120 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 1: got thirty eight full time ready to work every day 203 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:20,400 Speaker 1: on the job people. And if we can't help you directly, 204 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:24,480 Speaker 1: we're gonna find out who can. And so you know that, 205 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 1: So we appreciate this opportunity and rolling into one of 206 00:13:30,040 --> 00:13:34,880 Speaker 1: our top priorities is to rebrand our organization and to 207 00:13:35,080 --> 00:13:38,440 Speaker 1: do a better job and raise the resources to do 208 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:41,360 Speaker 1: a better job of really getting out there to let 209 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,920 Speaker 1: people know how we can support well. I like that. 210 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:48,000 Speaker 1: The thing about it is that, first of all, I'm 211 00:13:48,040 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 1: your friend. I'm ready to help. Okay, I'm ready to 212 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 1: use my brand because of the fact that I originally 213 00:13:54,840 --> 00:13:57,960 Speaker 1: started money Making Conversations in Houston, Texas, and when I 214 00:13:58,040 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 1: moved it to January into Atlanta a year and a 215 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 1: half ago, the success and reaction has been tremendous. And 216 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:06,720 Speaker 1: so what I what I'm trying to say to you 217 00:14:06,920 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 1: is that if you need my assistant in hosting any 218 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:15,960 Speaker 1: seminars there, help you promoting any similars there for business. 219 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:19,040 Speaker 1: I don't know what your relationship with entertainment. I think 220 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:23,360 Speaker 1: that can also help brand the relationship with the Urban League, 221 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 1: because you know, Atlanta is the entertainment hub now, there's 222 00:14:26,920 --> 00:14:30,720 Speaker 1: no doubt about it. Atlanta generates revenue tremendously in the 223 00:14:30,880 --> 00:14:35,160 Speaker 1: entertainment hub. And so I just feel that, so we are, 224 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:39,360 Speaker 1: we're excited about this partnership. So we'll need after this call, 225 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: let's get together and snap it out. We'd love to 226 00:14:42,920 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 1: have your support because because because I because you know, 227 00:14:46,320 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 1: you know a lot of people know. My history is 228 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 1: entertainment managed Steve Harvey. And right now I have the UH, 229 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: the CMO or Air National Guard, where our marketing brand, 230 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:58,840 Speaker 1: all of the the fifty States and the three countries 231 00:14:59,200 --> 00:15:01,840 Speaker 1: which include go on, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, 232 00:15:01,880 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 1: and watching the d C all the marketing decisions. UH. 233 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 1: I'm in a position to be a part of when 234 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: it comes to the UH, their social media, digital so 235 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:12,720 Speaker 1: I have a wide grasp of how this country works. 236 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:17,800 Speaker 1: From syndication, from television, UH help relaunch Family Feud and 237 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 1: turn it into the number one game show on television, 238 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 1: and so talk shows and sitcom. So when I look 239 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:27,040 Speaker 1: at your brand, and I've been associated with it because 240 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: I would used to always go down to New Orleans 241 00:15:28,840 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: for the Essence Festival and I but I always even today, 242 00:15:32,000 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 1: I've never known what That's why I wanted to bring 243 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:36,720 Speaker 1: you on the show or your brand on the show, 244 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 1: so I can get an educated Sean, because if I know, 245 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: then I can help other people know. And I find 246 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: that more people like me need to actually step into 247 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:48,400 Speaker 1: your building. More people like me actually need to be 248 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,960 Speaker 1: speaking in your building and assisting everybody so they can 249 00:15:51,960 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 1: walk back out and go. You know, I tended a 250 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 1: meeting down at the Urban League and then people go 251 00:15:56,760 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 1: Urban leg protested. No no, no, no no, We're talking 252 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 1: about business money, and we'll have to get Mark Parham, 253 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:10,720 Speaker 1: who is the director of our Entrepreneurship Center, and some 254 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 1: of our expert coaches and the entrepreneurs that support us. 255 00:16:15,240 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: We want to you know, rotate as many of those 256 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:21,240 Speaker 1: people on your show. Have you come and speak to 257 00:16:21,320 --> 00:16:24,720 Speaker 1: our classes. You know, we were open. We love to 258 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:29,480 Speaker 1: partner with people. Um we we uh. We partnered with 259 00:16:29,480 --> 00:16:33,120 Speaker 1: all kinds of folks. We got Jackie d who uh 260 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:37,520 Speaker 1: has started the Small Business Channel. He is an advocate 261 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:42,160 Speaker 1: for small business and so we plug into his platforms. 262 00:16:42,200 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 1: So we're open. We're open. We would love to do that. 263 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 1: One more thing that I want to mention. I mentioned 264 00:16:48,400 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: the Startup Accelerator, but we also have a Strategic Growth 265 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:58,000 Speaker 1: Accelerator for existing businesses that want to grow to the 266 00:16:58,040 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: next level and us. We bring both of these platforms. 267 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: Individuals that come to the classes put their business plans together. 268 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:12,440 Speaker 1: We connect people with the capital. We have a partnership 269 00:17:12,560 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 1: right now with the Coca Cola company UH supporting some 270 00:17:16,880 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 1: of their minority suppliers to grow and build capacity so 271 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:25,760 Speaker 1: they can get bigger and better contracts. We support people 272 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:29,959 Speaker 1: up and down across the spectrum, and so you know 273 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:33,720 Speaker 1: we get it. Well, business is critical. Well that's important 274 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:36,000 Speaker 1: that you're responding to me like that, because I want 275 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,920 Speaker 1: to help. I have no problem. I know these these 276 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:41,560 Speaker 1: corporate sponsors want to see engagement on social media. I 277 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:44,639 Speaker 1: have no problem posting something about if it's sponsible by 278 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:47,440 Speaker 1: cold good friends of mine. You know, I've been knowing 279 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 1: them many years. Over there, Stellar Ringer, over there at 280 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:52,879 Speaker 1: Coca Cola, good friends of mine, and so I know 281 00:17:53,080 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 1: that I know that you want to get these sponsors. 282 00:17:56,800 --> 00:17:59,000 Speaker 1: They have to see engagement, they see a reaction that 283 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:01,359 Speaker 1: they have to be track thing. And so I know 284 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:04,639 Speaker 1: my brand is available. I'm not trying to I'm not 285 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:07,000 Speaker 1: charging you anything. I just know that I developed and 286 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:11,120 Speaker 1: created monimating conversation. They give people of oars, of organizations 287 00:18:11,119 --> 00:18:12,680 Speaker 1: of oars to be able to come on my show, 288 00:18:13,119 --> 00:18:17,119 Speaker 1: tie themselves to my brand, and then strategically communicate the 289 00:18:17,200 --> 00:18:20,320 Speaker 1: needs and the ways that people can communicate with them 290 00:18:20,359 --> 00:18:22,200 Speaker 1: and better their lives. This is all this interview is 291 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,720 Speaker 1: about better in people's lives. You better believe it. That's 292 00:18:25,760 --> 00:18:28,560 Speaker 1: all we want to do with Survanly. It's help people. 293 00:18:28,840 --> 00:18:33,719 Speaker 1: That's our Mantris called its empowering communities, changing lives and 294 00:18:33,760 --> 00:18:38,760 Speaker 1: really helping people change their own lives. People have the power, 295 00:18:39,080 --> 00:18:42,120 Speaker 1: they got the talent, they got the abilities. A lot 296 00:18:42,160 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 1: of times they just need a little help opening the door, 297 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:49,760 Speaker 1: learning something new, but they're ready to go. Our people 298 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:55,960 Speaker 1: are fired up. You find up up now because of 299 00:18:56,000 --> 00:18:59,920 Speaker 1: the political environment that we're in. Absolutely, let's just talking 300 00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:03,960 Speaker 1: about a situation. There are how does how the Urbanly 301 00:19:04,000 --> 00:19:09,200 Speaker 1: supports individuals who have been previously incarcerated big time, big time. 302 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:13,080 Speaker 1: We got our start a big start in a big, 303 00:19:13,119 --> 00:19:17,719 Speaker 1: big way under the Obama administration. Back in two thousand 304 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:21,720 Speaker 1: and eleven, we were awarded a two million dollar contract 305 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:27,000 Speaker 1: to work with two hundred and fifty um primarily African 306 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:30,960 Speaker 1: American men, but men and women who were within one 307 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:37,200 Speaker 1: year of release from incarceration. Urbanly partnered with the transitional centers. 308 00:19:37,240 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 1: We go inside pre release and we connect and support 309 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:46,320 Speaker 1: people to figure out their talents, their goals, their interests, 310 00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:50,639 Speaker 1: and so there are certain industries that are second chance 311 00:19:50,760 --> 00:19:53,439 Speaker 1: friendly and so the goal of the program was to 312 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:58,120 Speaker 1: help men and women go to college and earn credentials 313 00:19:58,200 --> 00:20:03,560 Speaker 1: before they were released. This had never been done before, 314 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:07,240 Speaker 1: uh certainly not by the Urban League and not we 315 00:20:07,280 --> 00:20:10,920 Speaker 1: were the only nonprofit in the entire state that was 316 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 1: awarded those resources. Those individuals did all kinds of things. 317 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 1: They became our lab technicians, a truck drivers, UM logistics technicians, construction, 318 00:20:23,920 --> 00:20:28,800 Speaker 1: went into the building trades, UM some started their own businesses. 319 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 1: And our whole focus is on livable wage employment. You 320 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 1: can't expect people come out anybody, whether you're incarcerated, coming 321 00:20:38,680 --> 00:20:41,200 Speaker 1: out or out here trying to make it every day 322 00:20:41,240 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 1: ten dollars to fifteen dollars an hour. It's it's a 323 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 1: We call those um um building block jobs. But that 324 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:54,840 Speaker 1: cannot be the end all. Why because it costs too 325 00:20:54,960 --> 00:20:58,359 Speaker 1: much to live for that to be enough. It's just 326 00:20:58,520 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 1: not enough. So our goal is to help people arunstackable credentials, 327 00:21:04,359 --> 00:21:06,760 Speaker 1: figure out what you're good at, what you're passionate about. 328 00:21:07,119 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: We're we've got programs for the film television industry right now. 329 00:21:12,359 --> 00:21:16,520 Speaker 1: We are partnered with Rob Hardy, the director you know 330 00:21:16,680 --> 00:21:24,040 Speaker 1: Rob absolutely miss yass y'all, y'all your own money main conversation, everybody, 331 00:21:24,119 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 1: come on my show, Miss Johnson. Well, we've got thirteen 332 00:21:29,600 --> 00:21:34,000 Speaker 1: people right now that we've partnered with Amazing Stories Foundation, 333 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:38,040 Speaker 1: Urban League, Fulton County and the City of Atlanta Work source. 334 00:21:38,400 --> 00:21:41,919 Speaker 1: Thirteen people are out right now as we speak, working 335 00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:47,560 Speaker 1: on television and movie sets, gaining experience because we've cracked 336 00:21:47,640 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: open some doors with the help of Rob Hardy, Tyler 337 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:55,359 Speaker 1: Perry Studios and others. So we're trying to get our 338 00:21:55,440 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 1: people into the money making. There's nine billion dollars being 339 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:03,159 Speaker 1: made right here in our backyards, and not enough of 340 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:06,920 Speaker 1: our people can get in. It's a tight industry. You've 341 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,280 Speaker 1: got to know people, you've got a network, you gotta 342 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:12,920 Speaker 1: have skill set, and so you know, we want to 343 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: open up as many doors as we possibly can. Well, 344 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:21,119 Speaker 1: I'm tasting. I've seen in this conversation the interview you 345 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:26,280 Speaker 1: your passion and I believe has developed because you hear 346 00:22:26,320 --> 00:22:28,760 Speaker 1: somebody on the or the end of the phone who's 347 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:31,960 Speaker 1: equally passion, who wants to hear and I want to 348 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:34,919 Speaker 1: be a part of your of your dream because dreams 349 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:36,000 Speaker 1: you have, you have to have a lot of people 350 00:22:36,000 --> 00:22:37,360 Speaker 1: in your dream. If you if you have a dream 351 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:39,280 Speaker 1: the only person to drinks, that's not a good dream. 352 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:43,920 Speaker 1: That's a night man about dream for everyone. If we're 353 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:48,080 Speaker 1: with it, we can't do it alone. Everything urbanly does. 354 00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:52,680 Speaker 1: We're doing partnerships. We partnered with the technical colleges, partners businesses, 355 00:22:52,720 --> 00:22:55,600 Speaker 1: We partner with the government, We partner with private sector, 356 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:59,159 Speaker 1: with the civil rights organizations. We gotta be partners. We 357 00:22:59,240 --> 00:23:03,160 Speaker 1: gotta work together. We can't be divided. We gotta be united. Well, 358 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:06,359 Speaker 1: you gotta you gotta partner here. Rashan McDonald hosting Money 359 00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:08,080 Speaker 1: Making Conversations. I want to thank you for coming on 360 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:10,760 Speaker 1: my show. I feel that by being on my show 361 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:12,879 Speaker 1: you understand who I am a little bit now. Now 362 00:23:12,960 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 1: you need to see me in person. Realize I am 363 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:17,080 Speaker 1: a man or a person that backs up what he says. 364 00:23:17,600 --> 00:23:20,320 Speaker 1: So my man uh Adele Henderson was reaching out to you, 365 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:21,919 Speaker 1: be setting up a meeting so we can come by 366 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:24,800 Speaker 1: there and personally see everything and build these dreams.