Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – INTERVIEW: Earn Your Leisure Talk Invest Fest 2025, AI & Tech, Generational Wealth, African Diasporas + More
Episode Overview Released on July 30, 2025, this episode of The Breakfast Club features an in-depth interview with Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings from Earn Your Leisure. Hosted by DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God, the discussion delves into the upcoming Invest Fest 2025, the transformative impact of AI and technology, strategies for building generational wealth, and the role of African diasporas in global investments.
Invest Fest 2025: Innovations and Highlights
Invest Fest 2025 is poised to be a groundbreaking event taking place from August 22nd to 24th. This year's edition introduces several new features aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth within the community.
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Pitch Competition Enhancements:
- Initiated last year in honor of Nipsey Hussle, the pitch competition evolves to focus exclusively on tech companies.
- Quote: [02:14] Rashad Bilal: "We wanted to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs... capital is a big problem in our community."
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Notable Judges and Mentorship:
- Esteemed judges include 2 Chainz, Angela Simmons, and Jaylen Brown.
- John Hope Bryant will offer on-stage mentorship, providing real-time feedback to entrepreneurs, with mentorship packages valued at over $25,000.
- Quote: [03:14] Rashad Bilal: "The winner is gonna get his mentorship package... access to capital."
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Expanded Deal Room and Global Opportunities:
- Introduction of a vetted deal room to connect attendees with legitimate investment opportunities.
- Quote: [03:54] Troy Millings: "We try to stimulate the economy in as many ways as possible."
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Collaboration with African Markets:
- First-time collaboration comedy show with 85 South, enhancing cultural exchange and business opportunities.
- Partnerships with African countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Benin, and Ivory Coast to bridge investment gaps.
- Quote: [06:02] Rashad Bilal: "We’re creating a thriving community in Ghana... for anybody that wants to buy property."
The AI Revolution: Present and Future
AI is at the forefront of this conversation, viewed not as a future prospect but as a current reality reshaping industries and investment landscapes.
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Immediate Impact of AI:
- AI’s integration into everyday life and business is accelerating, with companies like Nvidia leading the charge.
- Quote: [08:14] Rashad Bilal: "AI is not the future, it's right now. It’s only going to get bigger."
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Investment Opportunities in AI:
- Emphasis on investing in technology and AI companies to capitalize on their growth and sustainability.
- Quote: [09:11] Troy Millings: "This is the most important time in terms of investing. We’ve never seen returns like this."
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Education and AI Integration:
- AI’s role in revolutionizing education through personalized learning experiences, as evidenced by AI-driven teaching in Ghana.
- Quote: [35:xx] Rashad Bilal: "He’s like a year ahead of the rest of the kids that are in his class."
Building Generational Wealth through Entrepreneurship
Creating sustainable and generational wealth is a core theme, with a strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and business ownership within the community.
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Defining Generational Wealth:
- Generational wealth is framed as having sustainable businesses that employ people and create an ongoing economic ecosystem.
- Quote: [22:55] Rashad Bilal: "Generational wealth is having sustainable businesses that you’re employing people and you can pass something down."
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Empowering Black Entrepreneurs:
- Encouraging black individuals to invest in tech startups and innovative ventures to break away from traditional labor roles.
- Quote: [19:10] Rashad Bilal: "And what we're doing with him is that he's actually going to be doing on stage mentoring."
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Economic Impact of Invest Fest:
- Success is measured by attendance, partnerships, media coverage, and the tangible economic impact on attendees and the broader community.
- Quote: [52:36] Rashad Bilal: "It's all the above... it's a beacon of what can be possible."
African Diasporas and Global Investments
The discussion highlights the importance of bridging investments between the African continent and the diaspora, fostering mutual growth and economic prosperity.
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Real Estate Investments in Africa:
- Projects like Sombra City in Accra aim to create thriving residential communities that benefit both African locals and the diaspora.
- Quote: [48:32] Troy Millings: "The goal is to create something that is a legacy... for everybody in the Diaspora."
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Combating Stereotypes and Misconceptions:
- Addressing and dispelling rumors about African countries’ willingness to collaborate with Black Americans and the broader diaspora.
- Quote: [06:10] Rashad Bilal: "We want people to know that this business is taking place... bridging the gap."
The Future of Jobs and the Economy in the Age of AI
AI's transformative power extends to the job market, posing both challenges and opportunities for various sectors.
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Job Displacement and Creation:
- AI is expected to replace both low-skilled and high-skilled jobs, emphasizing the need for individuals to pivot towards entrepreneurship and tech-related fields.
- Quote: [16:01] DJ Envy: "If you don’t have a business or something, it's gonna be very difficult."
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Contractor Economy and Skilled Labor:
- Highlighting a projected need for half a million electricians and the burgeoning contractor economy valued at $2.5 trillion.
- Quote: [19:15] Rashad Bilal: "Black people can do more than just being a laborer... we need to start tech companies."
Transforming Education and Healthcare with AI
AI is poised to revolutionize education and healthcare, making services more efficient and accessible.
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AI in Education:
- Personalized learning experiences and AI tutors can accelerate student progress and cater to individual needs.
- Quote: [36:25] Rashad Bilal: "AI is going to be able to manage your life... it's going to help us bridge the gap."
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AI in Healthcare:
- Robotic-assisted surgeries and AI-driven diagnostics promise higher precision and reduced human error.
- Quote: [46:01] Rashad Bilal: "Doctors are going to see like a full robot performing surgery."
Success Metrics for Invest Fest
Rashad Bilal defines success for Invest Fest through multiple lenses, emphasizing both quantitative and qualitative outcomes.
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Attendance and Economic Impact:
- Success is measured by the number of attendees, economic transactions, and the opportunities created for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
- Quote: [52:36] Rashad Bilal: "We’re employing people from security to AV... economic impact that's actually happening."
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Sustainable Growth and Legacy:
- Building an enduring platform that continues to empower future generations and foster economic stability within the community.
- Quote: [55:40] Rashad Bilal: "What is going to be the alternative? Who else is going to give all of these opportunities?"
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a strong endorsement for Invest Fest 2025, encouraging listeners to attend and participate in this pivotal economic event. Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings emphasize the importance of being proactive in the face of technological advancements and the shifting economic landscape, urging the community to invest wisely and build sustainable wealth.
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Final Call to Action:
- Quote: [56:07] Rashad Bilal: "If you want tickets, investfest.com... August 22nd to August 24th in Atlanta, Georgia."
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Hosts' Closing Remarks:
- Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy express their support and excitement for the upcoming Invest Fest, highlighting its significance in empowering the community and fostering generational wealth.
Key Takeaways:
- Invest Fest 2025 is an essential event for entrepreneurs and investors focusing on technology and economic empowerment within the Black community and African diasporas.
- AI and technology are rapidly transforming industries, presenting both challenges and unprecedented investment opportunities.
- Generational wealth can be achieved through sustainable business ownership and strategic investments in tech-driven ventures.
- Global investments in Africa are crucial for bridging economic gaps and fostering mutual growth between the continent and the diaspora.
- Education and healthcare stand on the brink of a revolution thanks to AI, promising more efficient and personalized services.
- Invest Fest’s success is measured by its ability to create meaningful economic impacts, foster sustainable growth, and empower future generations.
For more information and to secure your tickets, visit InvestFest.com.
