1 00:00:00,270 --> 00:00:03,050 Speaker 1: Welcome to Money Making Conversations Masterclass. I am your host, 2 00:00:03,070 --> 00:00:06,430 Speaker 1: Rashawn McDonald. I recognize that we all have different definitions 3 00:00:06,510 --> 00:00:08,460 Speaker 1: of success. For you, it may be the size of 4 00:00:08,490 --> 00:00:11,420 Speaker 1: your paycheck. Mine is helping people wake up and inspiring 5 00:00:11,460 --> 00:00:14,240 Speaker 1: them to accomplish their goals and live their very best life. 6 00:00:14,820 --> 00:00:17,159 Speaker 1: It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and 7 00:00:17,180 --> 00:00:20,099 Speaker 1: start writing your own. People always talk about their purpose 8 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 1: or gifts. If you have a gift, lead with your 9 00:00:22,560 --> 00:00:25,380 Speaker 1: gift and let your friends, family, or coworkers stop you 10 00:00:25,400 --> 00:00:29,420 Speaker 1: from planning or living your dreams. My next guest is 11 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 1: a perfect example of leading with her gifts, understanding her purpose, 12 00:00:33,680 --> 00:00:37,510 Speaker 1: and accomplishing her dreams because she lives them every day. 13 00:00:37,890 --> 00:00:41,770 Speaker 1: Her name is Shirley Raft, an award-winning actress, singer, producer, author, 14 00:00:42,050 --> 00:00:46,490 Speaker 1: and philanthropist. Shirley's renowned entertainment career on screen and stage 15 00:00:46,510 --> 00:00:50,840 Speaker 1: spans over three decades. In the ever-changing entertainment landscape, Shirley's 16 00:00:50,860 --> 00:00:53,940 Speaker 1: career has spanned the range of comedy, drama, TV, film, 17 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:57,070 Speaker 1: and theater. She's starring currently in a new comedy series, very, 18 00:00:57,090 --> 00:01:00,450 Speaker 1: very funny comedy series called Abbott Elementary. 19 00:01:00,470 --> 00:01:01,750 Speaker 2: It airs on. 20 00:01:01,950 --> 00:01:06,890 Speaker 1: ABC on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. I saw the 21 00:01:06,910 --> 00:01:08,700 Speaker 1: three episodes on Hulu, so you can catch them on 22 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,980 Speaker 1: ABC.com or Hulu. I saw them on Hulu. All three episodes, fantastic. 23 00:01:13,620 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 1: She plays the character Barbara, a longtime and respected actress. 24 00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:18,819 Speaker 1: Philadelphia kindergarten teacher. 25 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:22,100 Speaker 2: And it's amazing and very, very relatable, by the way. 26 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:24,100 Speaker 1: And while working in front of the camera, she keeps 27 00:01:24,140 --> 00:01:27,390 Speaker 1: her life busy. She's also a passionate health advocate and 28 00:01:27,530 --> 00:01:31,450 Speaker 1: honored AIDS advocate. She is the founding director of Diva. 29 00:01:31,750 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: Please welcome to Money Making Conversations Masterclass, the incredibly accomplished 30 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:37,580 Speaker 1: Shirley Raff. 31 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 2: How are you doing, Shirley? 32 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:39,959 Speaker 3: I'm doing great. 33 00:01:39,980 --> 00:01:40,759 Speaker 2: Or should I say Ms. 34 00:01:40,840 --> 00:01:41,100 Speaker 4: Rap? 35 00:01:41,180 --> 00:01:42,220 Speaker 2: Or should I say Ms. Rap? 36 00:01:42,420 --> 00:01:46,810 Speaker 3: You can say goddess. There you go. 37 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:47,970 Speaker 2: There you go. 38 00:01:48,190 --> 00:01:50,730 Speaker 1: Because you look like a goddess. You look like a diva. 39 00:01:51,070 --> 00:01:54,650 Speaker 1: You're having an amazing career. I recently saw this interview. 40 00:01:55,770 --> 00:01:59,210 Speaker 1: It was on YouTube, which he was talking about Sidney Poitier. 41 00:01:59,990 --> 00:02:03,230 Speaker 1: And he was moved by that. Before we get into 42 00:02:03,250 --> 00:02:06,550 Speaker 1: the master class, can you give my audience your reaction 43 00:02:06,610 --> 00:02:10,530 Speaker 1: to his passing today? and the significance of someone like 44 00:02:10,610 --> 00:02:13,410 Speaker 1: Sidney Poitier and his background and relationship to you. 45 00:02:14,910 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 3: You know, it's so interesting. 46 00:02:16,910 --> 00:02:19,299 Speaker 4: Well, first of all, you gave me, you took a 47 00:02:19,340 --> 00:02:22,019 Speaker 4: few years off of my career, which I'm sure is 48 00:02:22,060 --> 00:02:24,139 Speaker 4: a wonderful thing, except for the fact that it's been 49 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:28,120 Speaker 4: close to 45 years. My very first job, I was 50 00:02:28,120 --> 00:02:32,400 Speaker 4: 19 years old, fresh out of college, and Sidney Poitier 51 00:02:32,520 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 4: gave me my very first job in a film called 52 00:02:35,760 --> 00:02:38,700 Speaker 4: A Piece of the Action, which was the last of 53 00:02:38,720 --> 00:02:41,180 Speaker 4: a trilogy of films that he. 54 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:43,359 Speaker 2: Did with Bill Cosby. 55 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:44,470 Speaker 3: Absolutely. 56 00:02:44,820 --> 00:02:48,750 Speaker 4: And I played a bad young girl. 57 00:02:48,370 --> 00:02:56,510 Speaker 3: By the name of Barbara Hanley. I remember. It's so funny. 58 00:02:56,270 --> 00:03:01,430 Speaker 4: Because Barbara Hanley, I, I've been hearing people say, that's. 59 00:03:01,150 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 3: Why Barbara Howard is such a great teacher because she. 60 00:03:05,290 --> 00:03:09,980 Speaker 4: Was Barbara Hanley. So I, I just love the fact 61 00:03:10,020 --> 00:03:12,959 Speaker 4: that people are able, you know, through all of these 62 00:03:13,060 --> 00:03:18,540 Speaker 4: generations are able to put it together full circle like that. 63 00:03:18,720 --> 00:03:21,340 Speaker 3: And, The start for me was Mr. 64 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:25,359 Speaker 4: Poitier, who stayed in touch with me for most of 65 00:03:25,419 --> 00:03:28,220 Speaker 4: my career. The last time I spoke with him, I 66 00:03:28,260 --> 00:03:32,280 Speaker 4: had just gotten cast in a series called Instant Mom. 67 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:36,280 Speaker 2: Yes, with Tia Mowry, right? Tia Mowry. 68 00:03:36,340 --> 00:03:39,870 Speaker 3: That's right. Yeah, and he was so wonderful. 69 00:03:39,940 --> 00:03:42,850 Speaker 4: And he told me how proud he was of me 70 00:03:42,930 --> 00:03:45,050 Speaker 4: and that I didn't let him down. 71 00:03:45,190 --> 00:03:48,650 Speaker 3: And it was a great, great conversation. 72 00:03:49,130 --> 00:03:51,150 Speaker 1: Well, you know, the interesting thing about your character is, 73 00:03:51,390 --> 00:03:53,630 Speaker 1: you know, I've been a sitcom writer. And so I've 74 00:03:53,650 --> 00:03:58,270 Speaker 1: been fortunate to, you know, create lines with Sarah Finney Johnson, 75 00:03:58,330 --> 00:04:00,110 Speaker 1: who is. 76 00:04:00,130 --> 00:04:02,670 Speaker 3: You know, Sarah Finney is one of the greats. Sarah 77 00:04:02,810 --> 00:04:04,830 Speaker 3: Finney is another one. 78 00:04:04,730 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 4: Of those people who, you know, she was one of the. 79 00:04:08,140 --> 00:04:09,840 Speaker 3: Creators of Moesha. 80 00:04:09,860 --> 00:04:14,860 Speaker 4: And from generation to generation, people know Sarah from the quad. 81 00:04:15,180 --> 00:04:19,390 Speaker 3: They know her from... You know, so many things. And 82 00:04:19,450 --> 00:04:21,270 Speaker 3: right now she's on Queen Sugar. 83 00:04:21,610 --> 00:04:25,049 Speaker 4: But there have been so many series that Sarah Finney 84 00:04:25,089 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 4: has had a major hand in quite literally. 85 00:04:28,520 --> 00:04:30,940 Speaker 1: Well, you know, you've had your hands in several levels. 86 00:04:31,000 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: You know, we can all go back to Dreamgirls. And 87 00:04:33,460 --> 00:04:35,700 Speaker 1: I remember when I was doing the Steve. My first 88 00:04:35,750 --> 00:04:38,710 Speaker 1: sitcom was Steve Harvey's Me and the Boys. And all 89 00:04:38,750 --> 00:04:41,710 Speaker 1: we could do, and that was in 1994, and all 90 00:04:41,730 --> 00:04:43,510 Speaker 1: they kept saying, we got to get Shirley Rapp on 91 00:04:43,529 --> 00:04:45,550 Speaker 1: it because she's the one, she's the one, we got 92 00:04:45,570 --> 00:04:47,440 Speaker 1: to have him as a, because he needed a love interest. 93 00:04:48,020 --> 00:04:50,860 Speaker 1: Our first, because our first love interest was Wendy Raquel Robinson. 94 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:53,479 Speaker 1: They said, yes, she's good, but we got to get 95 00:04:53,500 --> 00:04:55,990 Speaker 1: Shirley Raff. And I remember it was just a push 96 00:04:56,080 --> 00:04:59,130 Speaker 1: in the writer's room and all the executive producers, all 97 00:04:59,230 --> 00:05:03,190 Speaker 1: ABC network said, she's the one. And you've always had 98 00:05:03,250 --> 00:05:06,770 Speaker 1: that she's the one tone from the industry. And it 99 00:05:06,830 --> 00:05:10,029 Speaker 1: comes from not only relationships, but doing the job and 100 00:05:10,050 --> 00:05:12,350 Speaker 1: being a professional. And a lot of people misstep that 101 00:05:12,450 --> 00:05:14,650 Speaker 1: because of the fact that you can only, I think, 102 00:05:14,670 --> 00:05:17,910 Speaker 1: have a long career. When people have worked with you 103 00:05:17,930 --> 00:05:20,349 Speaker 1: and want to work with you again, talk about longevity 104 00:05:20,410 --> 00:05:21,130 Speaker 1: and relationships. 105 00:05:21,790 --> 00:05:25,159 Speaker 4: I think you just put your your voice on it. 106 00:05:25,589 --> 00:05:29,010 Speaker 4: Who knows you? Who likes you? Who wants to work 107 00:05:29,070 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 4: with you? Who wants to work with you again? I 108 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:36,580 Speaker 4: just came back from Philadelphia. You know, I commute my husband. 109 00:05:36,970 --> 00:05:39,010 Speaker 4: Senator Hughes of Pennsylvania. 110 00:05:39,070 --> 00:05:41,330 Speaker 3: He and I, well, I do the commuting. 111 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 4: But we were laughing because a friend of mine has 112 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:49,219 Speaker 4: a new series, Shy McBride. 113 00:05:49,660 --> 00:05:50,659 Speaker 3: Shy and I did. 114 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:55,380 Speaker 4: A movie together called Distinguished Gentlemen with Eddie Murphy. 115 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 3: Yeah. And then Shy and I have, you know, on 116 00:05:59,140 --> 00:06:00,820 Speaker 3: and off, you know, in touch. 117 00:06:01,100 --> 00:06:04,130 Speaker 4: He got his new sitcom and he said, I got 118 00:06:04,180 --> 00:06:05,330 Speaker 4: to get Cheryl Lee Ralph. 119 00:06:06,060 --> 00:06:07,460 Speaker 3: And I was. 120 00:06:07,380 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 4: On the plane and they were like, Shia's asking. 121 00:06:09,940 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 3: If you do this show with him. 122 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:15,020 Speaker 4: And, you know, it's small, but I'm just like, when 123 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:18,860 Speaker 4: your friends and people call you because they've got to 124 00:06:18,920 --> 00:06:25,080 Speaker 4: have you, the least you can say is, okay, yes. 125 00:06:25,220 --> 00:06:27,740 Speaker 1: I've been in the room when they've been demanding and 126 00:06:27,960 --> 00:06:31,180 Speaker 1: asking for this young lady, this diva, this goddess, and 127 00:06:31,610 --> 00:06:34,469 Speaker 1: Over the years, I've seen her, you know, and guess what? 128 00:06:34,589 --> 00:06:36,170 Speaker 2: She came on the set and she delivered. 129 00:06:36,510 --> 00:06:39,190 Speaker 1: But here's the thing about it is that she delivered 130 00:06:39,210 --> 00:06:44,210 Speaker 1: with humbleness, professionalism. There's a certain way you come on, 131 00:06:44,220 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 1: because I've been fortunate to be around a lot of stars, 132 00:06:46,320 --> 00:06:48,400 Speaker 1: and some stars I don't want to be around, okay? 133 00:06:48,440 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 1: And some talent that aren't stars I don't want to 134 00:06:50,580 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 1: be around, okay? We don't even get in that, because 135 00:06:52,660 --> 00:06:55,780 Speaker 1: she knows what I'm talking about. And so, but the problem, 136 00:06:55,820 --> 00:06:59,200 Speaker 1: the issue is always delivering. If Because we are working 137 00:06:59,240 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 1: on a stress situation. You know, we have to deliver. 138 00:07:01,440 --> 00:07:03,260 Speaker 1: We're doing lines. We have to make sure the line 139 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:04,980 Speaker 1: reads right. We have to write a character. You have 140 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:07,820 Speaker 1: to come in. And we're all hoping and praying that 141 00:07:07,870 --> 00:07:11,430 Speaker 1: this series gets renewed. People watch the series, get the ratings. 142 00:07:11,450 --> 00:07:14,590 Speaker 1: There's so many things that go into creating a project. 143 00:07:14,630 --> 00:07:15,690 Speaker 1: Then you have to put it out there and see 144 00:07:15,710 --> 00:07:17,670 Speaker 1: if the general public likes it. And then you have 145 00:07:17,690 --> 00:07:20,130 Speaker 1: to have a talent like Shirley Rapp who wants to 146 00:07:20,150 --> 00:07:20,650 Speaker 1: promote it. 147 00:07:21,310 --> 00:07:22,790 Speaker 2: See, if she doesn't, you. 148 00:07:22,590 --> 00:07:24,210 Speaker 3: Know what I'm saying? 149 00:07:24,310 --> 00:07:27,130 Speaker 4: See, that's why you're doing this show about money making 150 00:07:27,410 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 4: because promotion, promotion, promotion. You can have the most incredible idea, script, 151 00:07:36,140 --> 00:07:40,460 Speaker 4: series out there, but if nobody knows it's there- It 152 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,060 Speaker 4: means absolutely nothing. 153 00:07:42,310 --> 00:07:44,010 Speaker 3: You know, I shoot two series. 154 00:07:44,350 --> 00:07:48,110 Speaker 4: I shoot Abbott Elementary and I shoot a series called 155 00:07:48,170 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 4: Motherland Fort Salem, which is an outstanding series on freeform. 156 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:54,160 Speaker 3: Absolutely. 157 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:57,540 Speaker 2: I got you. I got you. I got you. I 158 00:07:57,580 --> 00:08:02,990 Speaker 2: got you. OK, I got you. Because Demetria, she's on 159 00:08:03,010 --> 00:08:03,270 Speaker 2: that show. 160 00:08:03,290 --> 00:08:04,290 Speaker 3: That's exactly right. 161 00:08:04,910 --> 00:08:09,770 Speaker 4: And people should see Demetria. People should see the show. 162 00:08:09,830 --> 00:08:13,770 Speaker 4: When you've got a woman like me as the 45th 163 00:08:14,950 --> 00:08:19,550 Speaker 4: president of the United States in an alternative world where 164 00:08:19,590 --> 00:08:22,840 Speaker 4: the future is truly feminine, they should see it. 165 00:08:23,310 --> 00:08:26,740 Speaker 3: But they don't see it. Because of a lack of promotion. 166 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:31,940 Speaker 4: But Abbott Elementary, Abbott Elementary is pouring the sauce, baby, 167 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:34,220 Speaker 4: on everything. 168 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:38,790 Speaker 3: You hear me? Oh, my gosh. When we were shooting 169 00:08:38,850 --> 00:08:42,610 Speaker 3: this show in secret. People were like, hold up. Wait 170 00:08:42,650 --> 00:08:48,770 Speaker 3: a minute. That little girl from what? Black Lady Sketch Show? No, no, no. 171 00:08:48,830 --> 00:08:53,610 Speaker 3: That little woman from BuzzFeed, the cute lady. I call 172 00:08:53,650 --> 00:08:57,989 Speaker 3: her the true queen bee. Oh, we need to know 173 00:08:58,050 --> 00:09:01,870 Speaker 3: about this. It has been amazing. It has been amazing. 174 00:09:01,910 --> 00:09:04,170 Speaker 1: Well, you know, the interesting thing about it, because before 175 00:09:04,190 --> 00:09:06,490 Speaker 1: the show came on my radar, you know, it hit buzz. 176 00:09:06,550 --> 00:09:08,590 Speaker 1: And then my staff would say, we shouldn't have you 177 00:09:08,630 --> 00:09:11,559 Speaker 1: saw it. Abbott Elementary. I said, no, I haven't seen it. 178 00:09:11,559 --> 00:09:12,479 Speaker 2: Michelle, you got to see it. 179 00:09:12,980 --> 00:09:13,620 Speaker 3: It's funny. 180 00:09:13,660 --> 00:09:15,679 Speaker 2: This is funny. This is really, really funny. 181 00:09:16,179 --> 00:09:18,290 Speaker 1: And so, and then I saw an article on her, 182 00:09:18,309 --> 00:09:19,830 Speaker 1: because I live in two cities. 183 00:09:19,870 --> 00:09:21,410 Speaker 2: I live in Atlanta. I live in Houston. I always 184 00:09:21,450 --> 00:09:22,650 Speaker 2: read the Houston newspaper. 185 00:09:22,970 --> 00:09:24,890 Speaker 1: And I just saw an article on the creator and 186 00:09:24,910 --> 00:09:25,410 Speaker 1: the lead. 187 00:09:25,429 --> 00:09:27,710 Speaker 2: And I was just reading about her and I would go, okay. 188 00:09:27,970 --> 00:09:30,330 Speaker 2: And then they said, oh, you know, Shirley Ralph is 189 00:09:30,350 --> 00:09:32,940 Speaker 2: scheduled to do your show. I go, okay, I got 190 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 2: to watch that. 191 00:09:33,500 --> 00:09:35,780 Speaker 1: Because what I don't do, Cheryl, I do not interview 192 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:39,020 Speaker 1: people on that, you know, just read your bio and 193 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:40,220 Speaker 1: ask generic questions. 194 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:41,580 Speaker 2: I hate that. I hate that. 195 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:44,620 Speaker 1: So I'm sitting on my sofa yesterday and I saw 196 00:09:44,700 --> 00:09:45,480 Speaker 1: episode one. 197 00:09:45,920 --> 00:09:49,429 Speaker 2: I saw episode two. I saw episode three. And I, 198 00:09:49,690 --> 00:09:52,069 Speaker 2: the principal of the. 199 00:09:52,090 --> 00:09:55,330 Speaker 1: Janelle James. 200 00:09:55,390 --> 00:09:59,989 Speaker 4: Janelle James, I think, is a bright talent She has 201 00:10:00,070 --> 00:10:04,910 Speaker 4: not acted before. This is her first time really in. 202 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:07,630 Speaker 3: A show like this, and she is killing it. 203 00:10:08,320 --> 00:10:08,830 Speaker 2: Killing it. 204 00:10:09,400 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: And here's the thing about it. It's set in Philadelphia. 205 00:10:11,900 --> 00:10:13,440 Speaker 1: It's a kindergarten setting. 206 00:10:13,460 --> 00:10:16,920 Speaker 3: The No, it's a primary school setting. 207 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:20,099 Speaker 1: Primary school setting. And so when we say that, it 208 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:23,580 Speaker 1: means that it's a public school, correct? Because they're struggling 209 00:10:24,020 --> 00:10:27,720 Speaker 1: for funds. They're struggling to get supplies. They're struggling to 210 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:32,690 Speaker 1: deliver adequate and correct education to these young kids. And 211 00:10:33,130 --> 00:10:36,130 Speaker 1: it is a Black population of kids that attend this school, 212 00:10:36,170 --> 00:10:40,350 Speaker 1: which is typical for a public school. And her character, Barbara, 213 00:10:40,510 --> 00:10:44,480 Speaker 1: is the seasoned teacher. I would say you always have 214 00:10:44,540 --> 00:10:46,559 Speaker 1: these shows where you have to have somebody who's extreme, 215 00:10:47,059 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 1: and that's the white character. 216 00:10:49,020 --> 00:10:50,970 Speaker 2: She's extreme because you don't know if she... Because she 217 00:10:50,990 --> 00:10:52,610 Speaker 2: has a line that she said, you know, I can 218 00:10:52,630 --> 00:10:53,650 Speaker 2: make more money on the streets. 219 00:10:53,750 --> 00:10:56,610 Speaker 1: And you don't know what that means? You go, is 220 00:10:56,630 --> 00:11:00,710 Speaker 1: that drugs? Is that prostitution? What is she talking about? 221 00:11:00,790 --> 00:11:01,880 Speaker 3: What is she selling? 222 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 2: Right. 223 00:11:05,380 --> 00:11:07,660 Speaker 3: And that's played by Lisa Ann Walter. 224 00:11:07,840 --> 00:11:11,860 Speaker 4: And she is really amazing and wonderful as well. 225 00:11:12,020 --> 00:11:14,710 Speaker 2: And you feel the reality of a character. You feel 226 00:11:15,110 --> 00:11:16,650 Speaker 2: the comedic frustration there. 227 00:11:16,960 --> 00:11:18,719 Speaker 1: Of all these characters that are put together. 228 00:11:19,100 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 2: And I think that's what it all happens. 229 00:11:21,260 --> 00:11:25,200 Speaker 1: When we talk about this series, Abbott Elementary, when you 230 00:11:25,240 --> 00:11:27,570 Speaker 1: do a table read, Cheryl, and a table read, let 231 00:11:27,590 --> 00:11:30,410 Speaker 1: me tell everybody, it's like, you know, they bring everybody in, 232 00:11:30,420 --> 00:11:33,510 Speaker 1: the cast, the executive producers there, sometimes network is there. 233 00:11:33,530 --> 00:11:35,890 Speaker 1: Of course, the person who wrote the script and other writers. 234 00:11:36,390 --> 00:11:38,750 Speaker 1: And then the cast sits around the table and they 235 00:11:38,809 --> 00:11:42,550 Speaker 1: read the script, okay, in seats. That's when you really 236 00:11:42,570 --> 00:11:45,870 Speaker 1: get a sign, a sense of if something's flat or 237 00:11:45,910 --> 00:11:50,850 Speaker 1: something works, That's right. You add to it. We'll fix that. 238 00:11:50,870 --> 00:11:53,929 Speaker 1: We'll fix that. We'll fix that. How was it, that 239 00:11:53,990 --> 00:11:57,410 Speaker 1: table read, when you sat down for this series, The Pilot? 240 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 4: I honestly have to tell you that sitting there, listening 241 00:12:03,860 --> 00:12:07,920 Speaker 4: to the show, I really knew that I was on 242 00:12:07,940 --> 00:12:10,260 Speaker 4: to something very special. 243 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:10,540 Speaker 3: Right. 244 00:12:10,740 --> 00:12:13,609 Speaker 4: You know, when we were doing Dreamgirls back in the day, 245 00:12:14,270 --> 00:12:16,859 Speaker 4: And we would stand in the wings and listen to 246 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:18,400 Speaker 4: Jennifer Holliday sing. 247 00:12:18,820 --> 00:12:21,800 Speaker 3: I knew we were on to something special. 248 00:12:22,260 --> 00:12:26,970 Speaker 4: When I met Brandy doing Moesha and this young girl 249 00:12:27,390 --> 00:12:30,490 Speaker 4: came on in all of her braids and everything. Just 250 00:12:30,590 --> 00:12:34,030 Speaker 4: being herself, I knew we were on to something special. 251 00:12:34,429 --> 00:12:38,469 Speaker 4: That table read with Avid Elementary, I was. 252 00:12:38,210 --> 00:12:43,380 Speaker 3: Doing a hallelujah. I was like, Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. This 253 00:12:43,530 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 3: is it, my God. 254 00:12:45,020 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 4: This is what I have been working on so far. 255 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:53,260 Speaker 3: Yes. 256 00:12:53,380 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 4: We will be right back with more money-making conversation with 257 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:57,140 Speaker 4: Rashawn McDonald. 258 00:12:59,010 --> 00:13:02,290 Speaker 3: Now let's return to Money Making Conversation with Rashawn McDonald. 259 00:13:02,330 --> 00:13:04,690 Speaker 1: First of all, I felt you were two of my 260 00:13:04,730 --> 00:13:08,950 Speaker 1: teachers in high school. There's Linda Traylor, she's my biology teacher, 261 00:13:09,370 --> 00:13:12,530 Speaker 1: and there's Georgia Nelson, she's my math teacher. They were 262 00:13:12,580 --> 00:13:16,540 Speaker 1: both people who focused me, who allowed me to sit 263 00:13:16,559 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: here in this chair today because of those two teachers. 264 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:22,620 Speaker 1: So I felt your character, Barbara, was very relatable from 265 00:13:22,660 --> 00:13:24,699 Speaker 1: that standpoint because I needed that. 266 00:13:24,960 --> 00:13:28,500 Speaker 2: I needed that person to, okay, you're Stop. Stop all 267 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:30,080 Speaker 2: the silliness. This is who you are. 268 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:33,199 Speaker 1: And that's what your character is, defines this role in it. 269 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: And the beauty of this series, everybody, is kind of 270 00:13:36,300 --> 00:13:39,530 Speaker 1: like shot like it's a docu-series. In other words, it 271 00:13:39,570 --> 00:13:42,250 Speaker 1: makes it seem like a documentary team is following them 272 00:13:42,290 --> 00:13:45,510 Speaker 1: around in school. So you get a lot of action 273 00:13:45,570 --> 00:13:47,569 Speaker 1: towards the camera and a lot of. 274 00:13:48,230 --> 00:13:49,809 Speaker 2: Did I say that in front of the camera? 275 00:13:50,210 --> 00:13:56,250 Speaker 1: And so that also plays into another, a fourth wall. 276 00:13:56,290 --> 00:13:58,710 Speaker 2: You are the fourth wall that they are talking to. 277 00:13:59,110 --> 00:14:02,960 Speaker 1: And that really makes for an original concept for us 278 00:14:03,000 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 1: to review this sitcom because I'm pretty sure it's a 279 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 1: single camera they're shooting. It's not a multi-camera, it's a 280 00:14:07,679 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: single camera, right? 281 00:14:09,179 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 3: No, it's amazing because what Quinta. 282 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:17,910 Speaker 4: Has developed here is something that Literally brand new. 283 00:14:17,929 --> 00:14:18,150 Speaker 2: Okay. 284 00:14:18,850 --> 00:14:20,510 Speaker 3: Well, maybe it's not brand. 285 00:14:20,250 --> 00:14:23,910 Speaker 4: New, but it's very different because when we're working, we 286 00:14:23,930 --> 00:14:28,590 Speaker 4: have a whole ballet going on with the cameras. They're 287 00:14:28,650 --> 00:14:30,830 Speaker 4: never still, they're not. 288 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:32,960 Speaker 3: On, you know, not rack and roll. Right, right, right. 289 00:14:32,980 --> 00:14:36,540 Speaker 4: They're on sort of scooters with wheels and everything. 290 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:39,460 Speaker 3: So it's almost like a dance. Right. 291 00:14:39,540 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 4: That we're doing with each other to make sure that 292 00:14:42,700 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 4: they catch everything. 293 00:14:43,940 --> 00:14:44,520 Speaker 3: Everything. 294 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 4: There are some things that they have caught. And I 295 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,470 Speaker 4: was like, I know they didn't just catch that. 296 00:14:51,450 --> 00:14:54,170 Speaker 3: You know, and sometimes I see the show. 297 00:14:53,950 --> 00:14:59,410 Speaker 4: And I'm like, oh my God, they're like watching everything. 298 00:14:59,470 --> 00:15:02,510 Speaker 4: You know, it's, it's, it's like that. And it's been, 299 00:15:03,030 --> 00:15:06,230 Speaker 4: it's been great to be a part of something brand new. 300 00:15:06,350 --> 00:15:07,910 Speaker 3: And I say this a. 301 00:15:07,990 --> 00:15:12,600 Speaker 4: Lot, but Quinta Brunson, when I look at Quinta Brunson and, 302 00:15:13,090 --> 00:15:17,100 Speaker 4: I feel the way I believe Maya. 303 00:15:17,100 --> 00:15:22,800 Speaker 3: Angelou felt when she looked at me. Maya Angelou looked at. 304 00:15:22,860 --> 00:15:26,180 Speaker 4: Me and said one day, when I hear you speak, 305 00:15:26,780 --> 00:15:29,180 Speaker 4: Cheryl Lee Ralph, I know. 306 00:15:28,920 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 3: It was all worth it. 307 00:15:31,300 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 4: And I felt so, oh my God, it just made 308 00:15:35,300 --> 00:15:40,420 Speaker 4: me feel so good. And now when I look at Quinta, 309 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:47,540 Speaker 4: And here she is writing, creating, producing this show. I 310 00:15:47,700 --> 00:15:51,400 Speaker 4: look at her, and I've been through it with this industry, 311 00:15:51,520 --> 00:15:55,320 Speaker 4: and I feel it was all worth it. 312 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:57,260 Speaker 3: And I'm just so proud of her. 313 00:15:57,700 --> 00:15:59,040 Speaker 2: And you should be. 314 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:02,490 Speaker 1: Her background, her mom was a teacher, Quinta. That's the 315 00:16:02,510 --> 00:16:07,230 Speaker 1: star of the show and the creator. So she's gaining 316 00:16:07,270 --> 00:16:09,410 Speaker 1: information from a lifestyle that she grew up around. 317 00:16:10,000 --> 00:16:12,000 Speaker 2: And then it still goes back. 318 00:16:11,860 --> 00:16:14,660 Speaker 1: To the characters that, you know, whether it's the janitor, 319 00:16:15,210 --> 00:16:16,750 Speaker 1: whether it's the sub teacher. 320 00:16:16,770 --> 00:16:20,870 Speaker 4: William Stanford plays the janitor and he is funny because 321 00:16:20,910 --> 00:16:23,990 Speaker 4: he's always in the room and then he says something 322 00:16:24,050 --> 00:16:26,190 Speaker 4: crazy and you're like, I forgot he was right there. 323 00:16:26,870 --> 00:16:29,230 Speaker 1: Or he knows y'all, when y'all in the break room, 324 00:16:29,650 --> 00:16:31,330 Speaker 1: he can say whatever, y'all not listening. 325 00:16:31,350 --> 00:16:32,670 Speaker 3: Thank you. 326 00:16:32,970 --> 00:16:36,700 Speaker 2: I'm going fishing. I'm going fishing. Nobody goes, what did 327 00:16:36,740 --> 00:16:37,120 Speaker 2: he say? 328 00:16:38,170 --> 00:16:38,860 Speaker 3: Exactly. 329 00:16:39,160 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 1: Well, you know, the fun part about it, I'm speaking 330 00:16:41,820 --> 00:16:43,980 Speaker 1: to Shirley Ralph, the incredible Shirley Ralph I have on 331 00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:48,460 Speaker 1: my show. We all know her history in television stage, directing, author. 332 00:16:49,700 --> 00:16:53,100 Speaker 1: But this show that she's starring in, Abbott Elementary, which 333 00:16:53,180 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: airs on ABC on Tuesdays. 334 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,900 Speaker 2: If you miss it, go to abc.com, go to Hulu. 335 00:16:56,980 --> 00:17:00,180 Speaker 2: I called it on Hulu. It's an amazing show from a. 336 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:04,990 Speaker 1: Docu-series style because the cameras, sometimes they go, ooh, I 337 00:17:05,010 --> 00:17:05,930 Speaker 1: didn't know the cameras were there. 338 00:17:06,410 --> 00:17:08,010 Speaker 2: I didn't really mean to say that. You're going to 339 00:17:08,030 --> 00:17:09,810 Speaker 2: cut that, right? 340 00:17:10,170 --> 00:17:13,510 Speaker 1: And so it captures a lifestyle of, it's a very 341 00:17:13,590 --> 00:17:17,070 Speaker 1: modern approach to school. The the principal, the school principal, 342 00:17:17,280 --> 00:17:22,360 Speaker 1: she actually has a green screen studio in her office. 343 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:26,020 Speaker 2: And so that's what I really loved about it. It 344 00:17:26,080 --> 00:17:28,560 Speaker 2: felt so modern, but it didn't feel forced. 345 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,390 Speaker 1: And I think that that's important that people hear that 346 00:17:32,410 --> 00:17:34,330 Speaker 1: because I had a friend of mine that was saying 347 00:17:34,350 --> 00:17:37,850 Speaker 1: that they were working on a project, a sitcom project. 348 00:17:38,230 --> 00:17:40,330 Speaker 1: And they said that the executive came back and said, well, 349 00:17:40,350 --> 00:17:44,040 Speaker 1: it feels kind of dated. It feels like a traditional sitcom. Well, 350 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:46,500 Speaker 1: This is not a traditional sitcom. And I'm just going 351 00:17:46,520 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 1: to let you know that it's a very innovative, it's 352 00:17:50,619 --> 00:17:51,400 Speaker 1: very modern. 353 00:17:51,780 --> 00:17:52,660 Speaker 2: It's very sensitive. 354 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:55,310 Speaker 1: It also has those dramatic moments, which I like in 355 00:17:55,369 --> 00:17:59,290 Speaker 1: brilliant sitcoms where, you know, we can laugh through the pain, 356 00:17:59,910 --> 00:18:01,670 Speaker 1: but then we got the message of the pain. 357 00:18:01,710 --> 00:18:02,310 Speaker 2: Talk about that. 358 00:18:02,790 --> 00:18:05,790 Speaker 3: Thank you. You know, it's so interesting. 359 00:18:05,830 --> 00:18:08,750 Speaker 4: When I first saw the script, I love the character 360 00:18:08,869 --> 00:18:11,109 Speaker 4: of the principal. And I said to Quinta, give me 361 00:18:11,150 --> 00:18:14,850 Speaker 4: a shot at the principal. And she said, no, absolutely not. 362 00:18:15,190 --> 00:18:16,810 Speaker 4: We need a queen for Mrs. 363 00:18:16,850 --> 00:18:18,810 Speaker 3: Howard. And that's you. 364 00:18:19,040 --> 00:18:21,720 Speaker 4: And she has given me the wonderful task of doing 365 00:18:21,780 --> 00:18:23,240 Speaker 4: exactly what you just said. 366 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,040 Speaker 3: I deliver the heart and the message of the show. 367 00:18:26,570 --> 00:18:31,940 Speaker 4: Last week's episode, when someone, when a group of privileged 368 00:18:32,100 --> 00:18:34,859 Speaker 4: college students come in and they want to fulfill the 369 00:18:34,920 --> 00:18:39,160 Speaker 4: wish list and they break into the classroom and Miss 370 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:42,730 Speaker 4: Howard has to say, no, no, get out, get out. 371 00:18:42,850 --> 00:18:43,109 Speaker 3: Yes. 372 00:18:43,270 --> 00:18:47,130 Speaker 4: And then to confront young Janine to say, I know 373 00:18:47,190 --> 00:18:50,910 Speaker 4: my students don't have everything, but my students don't need 374 00:18:50,970 --> 00:18:54,320 Speaker 4: to know that they have everything. 375 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:54,540 Speaker 3: Right. 376 00:18:54,940 --> 00:18:59,830 Speaker 4: Let them be happy and enjoy what it is they have. 377 00:19:00,050 --> 00:19:00,250 Speaker 3: Right. 378 00:19:00,450 --> 00:19:01,070 Speaker 2: And that's very true. 379 00:19:01,090 --> 00:19:04,450 Speaker 3: Am I giving back these expensive gifts? Oh, hell no. No. 380 00:19:04,990 --> 00:19:06,670 Speaker 1: You know, it's really interesting you say that because, you know, 381 00:19:07,050 --> 00:19:08,730 Speaker 1: if you get a slice of my life and I 382 00:19:08,770 --> 00:19:10,880 Speaker 1: grew up in the hood and I grew up with 383 00:19:10,930 --> 00:19:13,300 Speaker 1: six sisters, two brothers, two bedroom shotgun house. 384 00:19:13,340 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 2: That was me. 385 00:19:14,260 --> 00:19:16,280 Speaker 1: So I go through high school and I'm going to 386 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:20,700 Speaker 1: tell you, it wasn't until college that I actually used 387 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,580 Speaker 1: a fork. knife you know so so when I would 388 00:19:23,780 --> 00:19:25,939 Speaker 1: eat and when I eat my friends ago why you 389 00:19:25,980 --> 00:19:28,080 Speaker 1: eat everything with a spoon well that's all I had 390 00:19:28,100 --> 00:19:30,660 Speaker 1: at the house was a spoon and so I would 391 00:19:30,720 --> 00:19:33,020 Speaker 1: cut my meat with a spoon I would go they 392 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:36,220 Speaker 1: go dude there's a knife and a fork there well 393 00:19:36,260 --> 00:19:39,270 Speaker 1: guess what I didn't know I didn't have it so 394 00:19:39,290 --> 00:19:41,710 Speaker 1: guess what I was I was cool with it and 395 00:19:41,730 --> 00:19:45,149 Speaker 1: then of course I realized okay there are other utensils 396 00:19:45,190 --> 00:19:49,750 Speaker 1: that you can use but that's exactly what you're saying 397 00:19:49,810 --> 00:19:53,140 Speaker 1: if you don't know, then you're comfortable with, guess what? 398 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:55,580 Speaker 2: It didn't hurt my growth. It didn't stunt my growth. 399 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,149 Speaker 1: It was just something I didn't know was available to me, 400 00:19:58,490 --> 00:20:00,290 Speaker 1: but it didn't stop me from being successful. 401 00:20:00,600 --> 00:20:02,160 Speaker 2: And that's what I take away from that line. 402 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:04,780 Speaker 1: When I saw that moment, it was just a flashback 403 00:20:04,820 --> 00:20:07,929 Speaker 1: to my life when I was just in college cutting 404 00:20:08,070 --> 00:20:10,830 Speaker 1: everything with a spoon. I was eating with a spoon. 405 00:20:10,869 --> 00:20:12,830 Speaker 1: And when I went through the line, I just grabbed 406 00:20:12,869 --> 00:20:14,689 Speaker 1: a spoon. And you know you got a knife and 407 00:20:14,710 --> 00:20:15,109 Speaker 1: fork over there. 408 00:20:15,150 --> 00:20:16,770 Speaker 2: I go, okay, no biggie. 409 00:20:16,890 --> 00:20:19,230 Speaker 3: I'm cool. But the wonderful point. 410 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:23,480 Speaker 4: The wonderful point to this is that you were raised 411 00:20:23,960 --> 00:20:27,780 Speaker 4: in a home that made you feel good about what 412 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:28,879 Speaker 4: you had. 413 00:20:29,050 --> 00:20:29,270 Speaker 2: Yes. 414 00:20:29,290 --> 00:20:32,250 Speaker 3: You did not feel less than. Yes. 415 00:20:32,490 --> 00:20:35,169 Speaker 4: And I love the fact that we were able to 416 00:20:35,330 --> 00:20:38,679 Speaker 4: say that out loud. You should not be made to 417 00:20:38,780 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 4: feel less than because you don't have as much as others. 418 00:20:43,619 --> 00:20:46,879 Speaker 4: You know, I tell you, I'm a plain old ordinary 419 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:50,090 Speaker 4: middle class child of the 60s kid. 420 00:20:50,410 --> 00:20:53,889 Speaker 3: And I always thought I was rich. Always thought I 421 00:20:53,950 --> 00:20:57,530 Speaker 3: was rich. I grew up and found out I wasn't rich. 422 00:20:58,350 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 4: My parents made me feel good about what I had. 423 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:06,680 Speaker 3: And where I was in life. 424 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:10,740 Speaker 4: And just like you, it did not stop me from 425 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:15,360 Speaker 4: reaching for my dreams. It did not deter me from 426 00:21:15,940 --> 00:21:19,090 Speaker 4: becoming who it was I am still becoming. 427 00:21:23,369 --> 00:21:25,390 Speaker 1: I want to talk about you being an aid activist 428 00:21:25,430 --> 00:21:27,070 Speaker 1: before I close out, because I think it's an important 429 00:21:27,090 --> 00:21:29,450 Speaker 1: part of who you are. I've seen what you've done 430 00:21:29,490 --> 00:21:32,450 Speaker 1: over the years. You've been front and center. And I 431 00:21:32,470 --> 00:21:35,830 Speaker 1: think that's important that people know that. You know, I 432 00:21:35,850 --> 00:21:38,930 Speaker 1: see how recently Betty White passed away and they honored 433 00:21:38,970 --> 00:21:42,750 Speaker 1: her on her 100th birthday because she's an advocate for pets. 434 00:21:44,210 --> 00:21:45,070 Speaker 2: Animals. 435 00:21:45,090 --> 00:21:45,970 Speaker 3: She loves animals. 436 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:46,340 Speaker 4: Animals. 437 00:21:47,210 --> 00:21:50,940 Speaker 1: And I'm not comparing her activism for AIDS to pets. 438 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:54,140 Speaker 1: I'm just saying that people are more than what you 439 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:56,820 Speaker 1: see they are. They do more behind the scenes. And 440 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,899 Speaker 1: sometimes just because they are public figures, you entertain. That's 441 00:21:59,960 --> 00:22:01,540 Speaker 1: all we care about. That's all we want to know. 442 00:22:02,060 --> 00:22:05,530 Speaker 1: You've been an activist in AIDS. Talk about why that 443 00:22:05,550 --> 00:22:08,010 Speaker 1: was so. You've been honored to the United Nations. You've 444 00:22:08,030 --> 00:22:11,510 Speaker 1: been honored to Jamaica. You know, you have been an 445 00:22:11,970 --> 00:22:15,590 Speaker 1: international advocate. Talk about why that has been so important 446 00:22:15,609 --> 00:22:15,770 Speaker 1: to you. 447 00:22:16,850 --> 00:22:20,619 Speaker 4: As an original company member of Dreamgirls, the musical, the 448 00:22:20,720 --> 00:22:25,320 Speaker 4: original on Broadway, you know, we lost one third of 449 00:22:25,460 --> 00:22:31,420 Speaker 4: our company to AIDS, not HIV, to AIDS. And nobody 450 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:34,870 Speaker 4: said anything about about that loss. 451 00:22:34,950 --> 00:22:38,680 Speaker 3: And somehow it stuck with me. And I said, no, 452 00:22:38,760 --> 00:22:39,680 Speaker 3: we have to do better. 453 00:22:39,720 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 4: We have to acknowledge these talented, amazing, beautiful men that 454 00:22:45,940 --> 00:22:47,220 Speaker 4: we have lost. 455 00:22:47,330 --> 00:22:50,750 Speaker 3: And a few women too, but not in our company. But, 456 00:22:51,690 --> 00:22:55,690 Speaker 3: That's how I got involved. Right. And it's so hard. 457 00:22:55,369 --> 00:23:00,379 Speaker 4: For me now after everything I learned about the HIV 458 00:23:00,580 --> 00:23:06,060 Speaker 4: virus and the Corona 19 virus. So many parallels, so 459 00:23:06,140 --> 00:23:10,700 Speaker 4: many similarities that tell me a lot about human behavior. 460 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:13,020 Speaker 4: People are hard headed. 461 00:23:13,220 --> 00:23:13,440 Speaker 3: Yes. 462 00:23:13,720 --> 00:23:17,500 Speaker 4: People do not believe the truth, even when it is 463 00:23:17,619 --> 00:23:21,119 Speaker 4: told to them. People enjoy lives. 464 00:23:21,200 --> 00:23:24,600 Speaker 3: When they say ignorance is not bliss, it is only 465 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:26,619 Speaker 3: a saying as a warning. 466 00:23:27,440 --> 00:23:31,570 Speaker 4: When it came to HIV, we knew that condoms were 467 00:23:31,590 --> 00:23:35,030 Speaker 4: a known barrier to the disease. Could we get people 468 00:23:35,090 --> 00:23:38,690 Speaker 4: to wear condoms? Could we get women to carry condoms 469 00:23:38,970 --> 00:23:42,879 Speaker 4: and protect themselves? No, just like we can't get people 470 00:23:42,960 --> 00:23:47,859 Speaker 4: to adhere to to mask wearing now with COVID-19. 471 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:51,000 Speaker 3: It doesn't feel good. It doesn't fit. 472 00:23:51,320 --> 00:23:54,840 Speaker 4: Same excuses we had back in the day with HIV. 473 00:23:55,080 --> 00:23:58,189 Speaker 4: The same excuses now we have. 474 00:23:57,990 --> 00:24:01,230 Speaker 3: With masks and the virus. Get tested. 475 00:24:01,670 --> 00:24:05,629 Speaker 4: Know your status so you don't spread the disease. 476 00:24:06,670 --> 00:24:10,450 Speaker 3: HIV get tested. Could we get people to get tested? 477 00:24:10,910 --> 00:24:13,820 Speaker 4: And if they did get tested, they would only go 478 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:16,620 Speaker 4: in for their first test and would not come back 479 00:24:16,680 --> 00:24:21,220 Speaker 4: for their results. Like so many people walking around halfway 480 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:28,000 Speaker 4: vaccinated for Corona now or completely unvaccinated for Corona. Hmm. 481 00:24:28,359 --> 00:24:32,350 Speaker 4: People who know or knew that they were positive for 482 00:24:32,690 --> 00:24:36,730 Speaker 4: HIV back in the day did not tell anybody like 483 00:24:36,790 --> 00:24:40,750 Speaker 4: people now know they're positive for COVID-19. 484 00:24:41,050 --> 00:24:46,810 Speaker 3: Don't tell anybody. And then act like it's a lie. Yes. 485 00:24:47,380 --> 00:24:50,500 Speaker 4: HIV did not have to become a black woman in 486 00:24:50,540 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 4: the South's burden, but it is. 487 00:24:53,100 --> 00:24:53,169 Speaker 3: Hmm. 488 00:24:54,070 --> 00:24:58,790 Speaker 4: Corona 19 does not have to become endemic, meaning a 489 00:24:58,869 --> 00:25:01,530 Speaker 4: part of who we are. So just like the flu, 490 00:25:01,810 --> 00:25:05,070 Speaker 4: you have to get a booster, a shot every. 491 00:25:04,830 --> 00:25:09,730 Speaker 3: Year or every two, three, four months. Who knows what 492 00:25:09,750 --> 00:25:12,970 Speaker 3: it's going to be with Corona? People are hard headed. 493 00:25:13,490 --> 00:25:16,220 Speaker 4: They don't want to listen to the truth and they 494 00:25:16,260 --> 00:25:20,580 Speaker 4: want to make up all kind of stories around these things, 495 00:25:20,660 --> 00:25:24,200 Speaker 4: talking about why should people, why should the government be 496 00:25:24,290 --> 00:25:27,730 Speaker 4: telling me what to do? Well, here's some things that 497 00:25:27,850 --> 00:25:30,790 Speaker 4: you don't have to do. Please do not get a 498 00:25:30,810 --> 00:25:34,350 Speaker 4: driver's license. Get out there and drive without your license. 499 00:25:34,690 --> 00:25:38,770 Speaker 4: See what happens when they find you driving without a license. Please, 500 00:25:39,430 --> 00:25:42,169 Speaker 4: if you're in a state where they charge you income. 501 00:25:41,830 --> 00:25:44,080 Speaker 3: Tax, don't pay your taxes. 502 00:25:44,390 --> 00:25:48,180 Speaker 4: Just don't pay your taxes because when the IRS finds you, 503 00:25:48,400 --> 00:25:51,600 Speaker 4: you're going to see what happens when people tell you 504 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:53,920 Speaker 4: some of the things that you have to do. And 505 00:25:54,040 --> 00:25:58,260 Speaker 4: by the way, we vaccinate our children for a lot 506 00:25:58,420 --> 00:26:01,570 Speaker 4: of diseases so that they can go to school so 507 00:26:01,609 --> 00:26:06,189 Speaker 4: that other children don't get sick. I suggest you try 508 00:26:06,650 --> 00:26:10,960 Speaker 4: not vaccinating your child for anything because that child. 509 00:26:10,740 --> 00:26:14,540 Speaker 3: Will not be going to school forever. anywhere. So those 510 00:26:14,580 --> 00:26:16,320 Speaker 3: are just a few of the things that. 511 00:26:16,220 --> 00:26:18,740 Speaker 4: The government tells you you must do. 512 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:21,420 Speaker 3: What you going to do? That's what I need to know. 513 00:26:21,500 --> 00:26:22,320 Speaker 3: What you going to do? 514 00:26:22,420 --> 00:26:24,740 Speaker 4: Because, see, I need you to survive and I need 515 00:26:24,770 --> 00:26:27,210 Speaker 4: you to fight for our doggone right to vote, because 516 00:26:27,230 --> 00:26:29,250 Speaker 4: if you want to make some money, you need to 517 00:26:29,290 --> 00:26:31,950 Speaker 4: be able to vote and tell people where to spend 518 00:26:31,970 --> 00:26:34,930 Speaker 4: the money that they have got for you that you 519 00:26:34,970 --> 00:26:36,900 Speaker 4: don't know about because you're not part of this. 520 00:26:37,140 --> 00:26:41,169 Speaker 3: You're not voting. I'm just saying, don't get me started. 521 00:26:41,190 --> 00:26:42,280 Speaker 3: That's my life. 522 00:26:43,619 --> 00:26:44,540 Speaker 2: Well, I'm going to tell you this. 523 00:26:44,840 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 1: That little portion right there will be clipped and put 524 00:26:47,859 --> 00:26:51,540 Speaker 1: on my social media because that's the part of life. 525 00:26:51,780 --> 00:26:55,080 Speaker 1: That's the Shirley Raft I know. That's Shirley I've seen. 526 00:26:55,400 --> 00:26:57,370 Speaker 1: That's the part that you hear in this interview. She's 527 00:26:57,380 --> 00:27:00,550 Speaker 1: an award-winning actress, singer, producer, author, philanthropist. 528 00:27:00,869 --> 00:27:02,530 Speaker 2: She's a goddess. She's a diva. 529 00:27:03,109 --> 00:27:08,500 Speaker 1: More importantly, on Tuesdays, Hulu, ABC.com, Watch our very funny series, 530 00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:12,199 Speaker 1: Abbott Elementary. It stars and airs on ABC, but they 531 00:27:12,220 --> 00:27:14,060 Speaker 1: got so many great outlets that you can see it. 532 00:27:14,340 --> 00:27:18,109 Speaker 1: It's a brilliant comedy set in Philadelphia, primary school. 533 00:27:18,869 --> 00:27:23,010 Speaker 2: You, my friend. Outstanding. You still look amazing. I also 534 00:27:23,050 --> 00:27:25,810 Speaker 2: saw you walk around that little bathing suit on social media, too. 535 00:27:25,850 --> 00:27:27,790 Speaker 2: So I thought that thing went viral. I didn't want 536 00:27:27,810 --> 00:27:29,570 Speaker 2: to say that until the end. I saw you walking around. 537 00:27:29,910 --> 00:27:30,730 Speaker 1: I saw you walk around. 538 00:27:31,050 --> 00:27:34,489 Speaker 2: You went viral. And I'm saying, how is she on 539 00:27:34,530 --> 00:27:36,669 Speaker 2: my timeline? I showed it to my wife. 540 00:27:36,690 --> 00:27:39,350 Speaker 1: I said, how is Shirley Raff on my timeline? Walking 541 00:27:39,369 --> 00:27:43,210 Speaker 1: around her poo. Walking around her poo. But, girl, you're fantastic. 542 00:27:43,270 --> 00:27:43,609 Speaker 2: Thank you. 543 00:27:43,630 --> 00:27:45,250 Speaker 1: I just wanted to put that little embarrassment in front 544 00:27:45,270 --> 00:27:45,449 Speaker 1: of you. 545 00:27:45,730 --> 00:27:48,889 Speaker 2: But you look great. I'm promoting your show. 546 00:27:49,290 --> 00:27:50,760 Speaker 1: Thank you for taking the time to come on Money 547 00:27:50,780 --> 00:27:54,900 Speaker 1: Making Conversations Masterclass. Shirley Raff, I'm your host, Rashawn McDonald. 548 00:27:55,000 --> 00:27:55,359 Speaker 2: Thank you.