Money Making Conversations Master ClassMoney Making Conversations Master Class

Brand Building: In 2017 he founded Green Book Global, a travel review platform for Black travelers, partnered with Expedia.

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Money Making Conversations Master Class

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn the 
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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lawrence Phillips. 


Purpose of the Interview

  • To showcase Lawrence Phillips’ entrepreneurial journey from engineering to founding Green Book Global, a travel review platform for Black travelers.
  • To highlight the significance of Black Ambition, an initiative by Pharrell Williams supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
  • To inspire listeners about resilience, innovation, and the importance of culturally inclusive travel resources.

Key Takeaways

  1. Background & Career Shift

    • Phillips studied Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech and worked at Accenture in IT consulting for nearly a decade.
    • Despite career success, he felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue his passion for travel, leading to the creation of Green Book Global.
  2. Travel Experience

    • Traveled to 30+ countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica, in less than a year.
    • Realized the need for a platform addressing “traveling while Black” concerns—safety, cultural acceptance, and inclusivity.
  3. Green Book Global

    • Inspired by the historical Green Book (1936–1966), which guided Black travelers during segregation.
    • Offers city-level Black-friendly scores, road trip planners, and Black-owned restaurant recommendations.
    • Over 150,000 app downloads in 2025; partnered with Expedia; strong social media presence.
  4. Black Ambition Program

    • Phillips applied three times before reaching semifinals, emphasizing persistence.
    • Program provided funding opportunities and a transformative Evoke Wellness experience.
    • His personal “why” statement:
      “I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.”
  5. Impact & Vision

    • Advocates systemic change by partnering with destinations to improve inclusivity.
    • Highlights the economic power of Black travelers (over $140 billion annually).
    • Encourages Black travelers to explore global opportunities beyond U.S. racial constraints.

Notable Quotes

  • “You can be successful and still not be happy.” — On leaving a lucrative career for passion.
  • “I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” — His guiding principle.
  • “There’s riches in niches.” — On unapologetically focusing on Black travelers.
  • “Just because somebody said no doesn’t mean they said no to you—they said no at that time.” — On persistence in entrepreneurship.

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Money Making Conversations Master Class

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Clas 
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