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

Purpose of the Interview

The interview introduces Cassandra Lester’s nonprofit Grow Give Prosper and its partnership with Google’s “Grow with Google” initiative. The goal is to provide free career certification scholarships to underserved and economically impacted communities, helping individuals increase earning potential and gain financial literacy.

Key Takeaways

Mission of Grow Give Prosper
- Founded in 2023, focused on financial education and empowerment.
- Aims to help communities grow together, give to each other, and prosper collectively.
Google Partnership
- Offers free career certifications in high-demand fields:
  - Cybersecurity
  - Data Analytics
  - Digital Marketing & E-commerce
  - IT Support
  - Project Management
  - UX Design
- Certifications are self-paced, online, and typically take 3–6 months.
- No prior experience required; participants receive a portfolio upon completion.
Accessibility
- Scholarships are free; the only requirement is commitment.
- Available to anyone in the continental U.S., regardless of education level (GED, college dropout, etc.).
- Registration via growgiveprosper.org (scroll to Google Career Scholarships).
Impact
- Over 300 scholarships awarded; previously had 500.
- Designed to level the playing field for those without Ivy League degrees.
- Certifications can stack (e.g., Project Management + Data Analytics) for greater career potential.
Financial Literacy
- Defined as understanding financial concepts and applying them to daily life.
- Misconceptions persist—some communities avoid discussing money or undervalue credit scores.
- Cassandra emphasizes breaking cycles of predatory lending and poor financial habits.
Challenges
- Cultural reluctance to discuss money.
- Skepticism about legitimacy of programs.
- Difficulty securing grants as a small nonprofit.
- Cassandra combats these through grassroots outreach and workshops.
Personal Drive
- Cassandra’s passion stems from seeing financial struggles across all demographics.
- She actively promotes opportunities through community centers, adult education classes, and social media.

Notable Quotes

“I want us to grow together so that we can give to each other and then prosper as a collective.”
“Google is leveling the playing field—you don’t need an Ivy League education to earn a livable wage.”
“The only fee is commitment.”
“Financial literacy means you understand the words, you hear the conversation, and it’s not Greek to you.”
“You can’t talk about managing finances if you really don’t have anything coming in.”
“You don’t want to miss this opportunity to increase your earning potential.”
“Once you’re certified, that’s yours for life—you can’t repo a degree or certification.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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