Hi.

Hi.

I am Rashaan McDonald, a host of weekly Money Making Conversation Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this show provides off for everyone. It's time to start reading other people's success stories.

I am Rashaan McDonald, a host of weekly Money Making Conversation Masterclass show. The interviews and information that this show provides off for everyone. It's time to start reading other people's success stories.

And start living your own.

And start living your own.

If you want to be a guest on my show, please visit our website, Moneymakingconversations dot com. Submit your information where they have a product you're an entrepreneur or a small business owner and put your information in there. Click to be a guest button submit it. It comes directly to me. Now let's get this show started. My guest has established himself as an entrepreneur, innovator, speaker, author, media personality and DEI expert who is leading the way in business, technology and equity for all.

If you want to be a guest on my show, please visit our website, Moneymakingconversations dot com. Submit your information where they have a product you're an entrepreneur or a small business owner and put your information in there. Click to be a guest button submit it. It comes directly to me. Now let's get this show started. My guest has established himself as an entrepreneur, innovator, speaker, author, media personality and DEI expert who is leading the way in business, technology and equity for all.

He is the co founder, chairman.

He is the co founder, chairman.

And CEO or BCT Partners, a global, multimillion dollar research, training, consulting, technology and data analytics firm whose mission is to leverage diversity, insights and innovation to transformed lives, accelerate equity, and create lasting change. Please work in the Money Making Conversation Masterclass the one and only doctor Randall Pinkett.

And CEO or BCT Partners, a global, multimillion dollar research, training, consulting, technology and data analytics firm whose mission is to leverage diversity, insights and innovation to transformed lives, accelerate equity, and create lasting change. Please work in the Money Making Conversation Masterclass the one and only doctor Randall Pinkett.

How you doing, sir, I'm doing good, Brother McDonald, Thank you for having me on the program, and I'm looking forward to the conversation.

How you doing, sir, I'm doing good, Brother McDonald, Thank you for having me on the program, and I'm looking forward to the conversation.

Well, the beauty of this relationship is that you know, you came to my attention. Let's put it out there on the Apprentice show. That's when I saw you. You were I was, I was a fan. I still am a fan. I got to see you at the National Minorities Fliers Developmentcouncil of Speaking and I went, I have to finally get this brother on my show. And now we are speaking, tell us about how did you get on The Apprentice and how did that impact your career?

Well, the beauty of this relationship is that you know, you came to my attention. Let's put it out there on the Apprentice show. That's when I saw you. You were I was, I was a fan. I still am a fan. I got to see you at the National Minorities Fliers Developmentcouncil of Speaking and I went, I have to finally get this brother on my show. And now we are speaking, tell us about how did you get on The Apprentice and how did that impact your career?

So I had never imagined competing on a reality television show. It was recommended that I apply. I didn't give it much serious consideration, but after repeat did urging, I sent in the application, believing that I never hear back from anyone, only to then receive a phone call from the producers. And to make a long story short, I went through a pretty elaborate casting process, which included a written application, an on camera interview, being flown to Los Angeles, spending a week out there for the final selection, and of the million people who applied for season four, eighteen people were selected, and your brother was not just one of the people selected, your brother was the one who won. Who won? There you go.

So I had never imagined competing on a reality television show. It was recommended that I apply. I didn't give it much serious consideration, but after repeat did urging, I sent in the application, believing that I never hear back from anyone, only to then receive a phone call from the producers. And to make a long story short, I went through a pretty elaborate casting process, which included a written application, an on camera interview, being flown to Los Angeles, spending a week out there for the final selection, and of the million people who applied for season four, eighteen people were selected, and your brother was not just one of the people selected, your brother was the one who won. Who won? There you go.

That's what I know, because you know, any time you see a person of call of African American, that's what I am.

That's what I know, because you know, any time you see a person of call of African American, that's what I am.

An African American, I'm rooting for. You did.

An African American, I'm rooting for. You did.

But you did it with style, you did it with class, and you did it with intellect. And that's what was really so positive about it because you have a sense of entrepreneurship that really stood out.

But you did it with style, you did it with class, and you did it with intellect. And that's what was really so positive about it because you have a sense of entrepreneurship that really stood out.

Now by winning that, it's always the post door.

Now by winning that, it's always the post door.

What were the benefits of winning that and did you turn that into any enterprising opportunities?

What were the benefits of winning that and did you turn that into any enterprising opportunities?

Yeah, the benefits were and are not to be diminished. You know as well as I do that celebrity is its own form of capital. Yes, financial capital, social capital, cultural capital, intellectual capital. Celebrity is its own form of capital. You can build it up and you can spend it. And for better or worse, Reality TV is one of those avenues that builds up your own form of celebrity capital. So it opened doors for my business BCT Partners. It opened doors for me as a speaker. I mean, part of the reason why you saw me at the National Minority Supplier Development Council is because I've been on the speaking circuit. It opened doors for me as an author. I've written five books since the show. It's opened doors for me to do other shows, open the door for me to also involved in some great philanthropic and charitable organizations. So I'll say it simply. It gave me a platform and I've been able to leverage that platform as a result of being on the show.

Yeah, the benefits were and are not to be diminished. You know as well as I do that celebrity is its own form of capital. Yes, financial capital, social capital, cultural capital, intellectual capital. Celebrity is its own form of capital. You can build it up and you can spend it. And for better or worse, Reality TV is one of those avenues that builds up your own form of celebrity capital. So it opened doors for my business BCT Partners. It opened doors for me as a speaker. I mean, part of the reason why you saw me at the National Minority Supplier Development Council is because I've been on the speaking circuit. It opened doors for me as an author. I've written five books since the show. It's opened doors for me to do other shows, open the door for me to also involved in some great philanthropic and charitable organizations. So I'll say it simply. It gave me a platform and I've been able to leverage that platform as a result of being on the show.

Yeah, I'm talking to doctor Randall Pinkett, just talking a back into history and an apprentice, very popular show. There was a reality show and you rarely see talent like him, academia type talent like him on the show and former athlete.

Yeah, I'm talking to doctor Randall Pinkett, just talking a back into history and an apprentice, very popular show. There was a reality show and you rarely see talent like him, academia type talent like him on the show and former athlete.

Let's go put that out there, out there doing your thing.

Let's go put that out there, out there doing your thing.

But more importantly, when I saw you, let's talk about the BCT Partners. BCT partner, what exactly it is, because I'd be remissed out to bring that out.

But more importantly, when I saw you, let's talk about the BCT Partners. BCT partner, what exactly it is, because I'd be remissed out to bring that out.

And I see Alpha Pi Alpha behind you. That's that little plaque behind that. Brother, Let's go give us some love. I'm gonna make it. I five. So I love the Divine nine. So let's talk about BCT Partners. Yeah.

And I see Alpha Pi Alpha behind you. That's that little plaque behind that. Brother, Let's go give us some love. I'm gonna make it. I five. So I love the Divine nine. So let's talk about BCT Partners. Yeah.

So, BCT is the company that I co founded with three of my college classmates. We started as entrepreneurs in college. In fact, my first book was campus No.

So, BCT is the company that I co founded with three of my college classmates. We started as entrepreneurs in college. In fact, my first book was campus No.

I want to get to that now, don't don't?

I want to get to that now, don't don't?

Yeah yeah yeah yeah, Okay, I won't get ahead of you. I want get ahead of you. So the four of us founded our first business as students. We've done three ventures over thirty years, and we're still co founders and close friends and brothers. BCT is celebrating twenty five years that we've been in business, so it's clearly the longest, most successful venture that we've launched. And our mission, as you mentioned, is harnessing the power of diversity, insights and innovation to do three things, transform lives, accelerate equity, and create lasting change. Said simply, we are an equity centered consulting firm powered by innovation. We leverage research, evaluation, data, artificial intelligence technology to illuminate powerful insights about the growing diversity in our society to help our clients achieve the equity that we all desire.

Yeah yeah yeah yeah, Okay, I won't get ahead of you. I want get ahead of you. So the four of us founded our first business as students. We've done three ventures over thirty years, and we're still co founders and close friends and brothers. BCT is celebrating twenty five years that we've been in business, so it's clearly the longest, most successful venture that we've launched. And our mission, as you mentioned, is harnessing the power of diversity, insights and innovation to do three things, transform lives, accelerate equity, and create lasting change. Said simply, we are an equity centered consulting firm powered by innovation. We leverage research, evaluation, data, artificial intelligence technology to illuminate powerful insights about the growing diversity in our society to help our clients achieve the equity that we all desire.

For our world. Okay, here's something interesting.

For our world. Okay, here's something interesting.

So you say twenty five years and I want to get a balance of this term diversity, equity and inclusion. Now would I be wrong and say it was elevated around about the George Floyd.

So you say twenty five years and I want to get a balance of this term diversity, equity and inclusion. Now would I be wrong and say it was elevated around about the George Floyd.

Murder, you would be in one hundred percent correct.

Murder, you would be in one hundred percent correct.

Okay, cool, Now when did you really start incorporating it into BCT's partner's brand.

Okay, cool, Now when did you really start incorporating it into BCT's partner's brand.

It's a great question. It's been a part of our brand since our inception.

It's a great question. It's been a part of our brand since our inception.

Right, that's what I want you to say, Okay, our inception.

Right, that's what I want you to say, Okay, our inception.

In fact, the first venture we launched was doing diversity, equity and inclusion, but we didn't call it diversity equity inclusion. Back then. We were doing training. Our first venture was a training company working with corporations for how they could develop and recruit minority talent d I right, right now. Our second venture was the Inner City Consulting Group, was working with inner cities on how they could develop and grow and prosper but particularly low income communities of color DI right, Yeah. We didn't kind of combine all of these predecessor ventures into what is now BCT, which is has a much broader aperture for its work and it's more deliberate about leveraging technology and innovation. But the work we do now is helping organizations achieve equity, and that has been part of BCT's mission since our inception twenty five years ago. So We're not new to this equity game. We are true to this equity game.

In fact, the first venture we launched was doing diversity, equity and inclusion, but we didn't call it diversity equity inclusion. Back then. We were doing training. Our first venture was a training company working with corporations for how they could develop and recruit minority talent d I right, right now. Our second venture was the Inner City Consulting Group, was working with inner cities on how they could develop and grow and prosper but particularly low income communities of color DI right, Yeah. We didn't kind of combine all of these predecessor ventures into what is now BCT, which is has a much broader aperture for its work and it's more deliberate about leveraging technology and innovation. But the work we do now is helping organizations achieve equity, and that has been part of BCT's mission since our inception twenty five years ago. So We're not new to this equity game. We are true to this equity game.

And that's the part that why I wanted you own this show because I talked to my company. My company's thirty and fifteen Media is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and I told them this summer, I said, I said, the battle of DEI has been going on for eighteen much. I said, the shift didn't happened about eighteen months ago. That's what I told him. This summer. I said, I could feel the shift.

And that's the part that why I wanted you own this show because I talked to my company. My company's thirty and fifteen Media is based in Atlanta, Georgia, and I told them this summer, I said, I said, the battle of DEI has been going on for eighteen much. I said, the shift didn't happened about eighteen months ago. That's what I told him. This summer. I said, I could feel the shift.

You know.

You know.

And now with that being said, what I disliked about the whole shift being promoted, now you can help me with this, is that it feels like it's only benefiting associated with African Americans.

And now with that being said, what I disliked about the whole shift being promoted, now you can help me with this, is that it feels like it's only benefiting associated with African Americans.

That's what gets me upset to most. Why is that, doctor Pinkitt.

That's what gets me upset to most. Why is that, doctor Pinkitt.

Yeah, so that is one of the things that gets me upset as well, is that when I look at what's happening in the federal marketplace, for example, when you look at whose history is being removed from websites, you look at whose events are being canceled, more often than not, it's black people. It's black African Americans. And it only to me makes abundantly clear that the attack on DEI is a kind of smoking mirror or an attack on African Americans, not to exclude other groups. I do believe that there are other groups that are under attack. I want to be very clear about that. But it does give a sense that African Americans are being put front and center, and that however you term this backlash, whether it's backlash from the Obama presidency, backlash of fear of the diversification of our country, backlash from the scapegoating of minority groups as if they are usurping the long standing institutional, historical power of rights like you can term it however you want to term it. And in fact, there are probably some that can connect into all of those threads or some of those threads. No matter what, we land in the same place that DII is under attack. It is being misconstrued and misinterpreted for what DEI is, which is about anti discrimination, which is about ensuring everyone has fair opportunity, which then paradoxically, the attack is actually under the guise of creating fair opportunity and anti discrimination. So what are we really talking about. We're talking about I think a guys, for much deeper backlash than what is being marketed as an attack on d I.

Yeah, so that is one of the things that gets me upset as well, is that when I look at what's happening in the federal marketplace, for example, when you look at whose history is being removed from websites, you look at whose events are being canceled, more often than not, it's black people. It's black African Americans. And it only to me makes abundantly clear that the attack on DEI is a kind of smoking mirror or an attack on African Americans, not to exclude other groups. I do believe that there are other groups that are under attack. I want to be very clear about that. But it does give a sense that African Americans are being put front and center, and that however you term this backlash, whether it's backlash from the Obama presidency, backlash of fear of the diversification of our country, backlash from the scapegoating of minority groups as if they are usurping the long standing institutional, historical power of rights like you can term it however you want to term it. And in fact, there are probably some that can connect into all of those threads or some of those threads. No matter what, we land in the same place that DII is under attack. It is being misconstrued and misinterpreted for what DEI is, which is about anti discrimination, which is about ensuring everyone has fair opportunity, which then paradoxically, the attack is actually under the guise of creating fair opportunity and anti discrimination. So what are we really talking about. We're talking about I think a guys, for much deeper backlash than what is being marketed as an attack on d I.

Yeah, and so there's you know, I've been in the media business, radio, television for a long time, and so as I go back, let's go back twenty five years with you. Okay, the one time the media came and said, we want to African American market, we want to reach black people.

Yeah, and so there's you know, I've been in the media business, radio, television for a long time, and so as I go back, let's go back twenty five years with you. Okay, the one time the media came and said, we want to African American market, we want to reach black people.

They came.

They came.

There's a lot of big agencies jumped up in the world out of New York, Burrell, out of Chicago, a.

There's a lot of big agencies jumped up in the world out of New York, Burrell, out of Chicago, a.

Number of them.

Number of them.

These are just too dominant that are still going doing great business in the industry today. And they would say, we want to reach the African American market, and.

These are just too dominant that are still going doing great business in the industry today. And they would say, we want to reach the African American market, and.

They would come there and reach you.

They would come there and reach you.

Then all of a sudden, the word multicultural popped up, and so they started and that's when the lat market, that's what do the Hispanic market.

Then all of a sudden, the word multicultural popped up, and so they started and that's when the lat market, that's what do the Hispanic market.

They wanted to reach them.

They wanted to reach them.

So they started taking away money quote unquote from the black market and so and then all of a sudden, the black market was lost because they wasn't getting the revenue or they said they can get us anyway, Why market to black people. You're in the analytical field, will you hear me talk like this? I always say, numbers tell the truth. How do you deal with that and what do you help us out? How do you help us out with telling our story? I guess I want to say, doctor pinktt.

So they started taking away money quote unquote from the black market and so and then all of a sudden, the black market was lost because they wasn't getting the revenue or they said they can get us anyway, Why market to black people. You're in the analytical field, will you hear me talk like this? I always say, numbers tell the truth. How do you deal with that and what do you help us out? How do you help us out with telling our story? I guess I want to say, doctor pinktt.

Well, I'm going to sound I appreciate the question and leaning into my my background in data, there's two kinds of data. There's quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative data is numbers, it's from surveys. It's statistics, it's charts, it's graphs, and you decided some of the hard numbers or reference what are the hard numbers on spending on advertising or investments in our communities, or dollars that are flowing to our businesses. And there's hard numbers that show that we are still under represented along a multitude of indicators. But the qualitative data is narrative. It's stories, it's uplifting our lived experiences. It's it's how we celebrate our accomplishments and also acknowledge that there's still work for this country to do in order to deliver on the promise for all people under this experiment known as the American you know, the United States of America. So so I think we have an opportunity to not just cite the statistics, but also to tell our stories, for example, about how DEI created a fair door of opportunity, About how investments in our communities have transformed this country to be a stronger country economically, socially, etc. About how our businesses bring innovation to the malease. I mean, there's so many stories that we cannot now shy away from telling those stories. Quite the contrary, we have to go in the opposite direction and amplify those stories.

Well, I'm going to sound I appreciate the question and leaning into my my background in data, there's two kinds of data. There's quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative data is numbers, it's from surveys. It's statistics, it's charts, it's graphs, and you decided some of the hard numbers or reference what are the hard numbers on spending on advertising or investments in our communities, or dollars that are flowing to our businesses. And there's hard numbers that show that we are still under represented along a multitude of indicators. But the qualitative data is narrative. It's stories, it's uplifting our lived experiences. It's it's how we celebrate our accomplishments and also acknowledge that there's still work for this country to do in order to deliver on the promise for all people under this experiment known as the American you know, the United States of America. So so I think we have an opportunity to not just cite the statistics, but also to tell our stories, for example, about how DEI created a fair door of opportunity, About how investments in our communities have transformed this country to be a stronger country economically, socially, etc. About how our businesses bring innovation to the malease. I mean, there's so many stories that we cannot now shy away from telling those stories. Quite the contrary, we have to go in the opposite direction and amplify those stories.

Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashaan McDonald. Money Making Conversations Masterclass continues online at Moneymakingconversations dot com and follow money Making Conversations Masterclass on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Please don't go anywhere. We'll be right back with more money Making Conversations Masterclass. Welcome back to the Money Making Conversations Masterclass hosted by Rashaan McDonald. Money Making Conversations Masterclass continues online at Moneymakingconversations dot com and follow money Making Conversations Masterclass on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Now the word minority, I'm so excited to talk to your doctor pinkin the word minority when I was growing up, met me black man.

Now the word minority, I'm so excited to talk to your doctor pinkin the word minority when I was growing up, met me black man.

Now, minority is.

Now, minority is.

Diverse, and it also pulls the white women into the group. But when I hear DEI, I hear being denounced. Nobody says anything about white women. Am I wrong to be upset about that?

Diverse, and it also pulls the white women into the group. But when I hear DEI, I hear being denounced. Nobody says anything about white women. Am I wrong to be upset about that?

Well, here's what I'll say, a lot of the research has shown that among the greatest beneficiaries of efforts to diversify the workplace have been white women, yes, and that their representation has seen measurable improvements, while other so called minority groups who are actually now the emerging majority African Americans, Latinos, etc. Have remained relatively stagnant. So the numbers certainly play out that while the now being popularized narrative is that all of these DII programs have not only benefited black and brown people, but it has created and given them an unfair advantage, it's quite the opposite. Programs have had some success, Let's be clear. Let's let's own that, but that the barriers I believe that these programs are attempting to dismantle are so significant, are so historical, are so institutionalized that that's why the progress of these programs have been limited, but have nonetheless seen benefits, and white women being among the greatest beneficiaries.

Well, here's what I'll say, a lot of the research has shown that among the greatest beneficiaries of efforts to diversify the workplace have been white women, yes, and that their representation has seen measurable improvements, while other so called minority groups who are actually now the emerging majority African Americans, Latinos, etc. Have remained relatively stagnant. So the numbers certainly play out that while the now being popularized narrative is that all of these DII programs have not only benefited black and brown people, but it has created and given them an unfair advantage, it's quite the opposite. Programs have had some success, Let's be clear. Let's let's own that, but that the barriers I believe that these programs are attempting to dismantle are so significant, are so historical, are so institutionalized that that's why the progress of these programs have been limited, but have nonetheless seen benefits, and white women being among the greatest beneficiaries.

Now that's great to hear.

Now that's great to hear.

Now, when I saw you at the National Minorities Supply Development Council, I'm a proud member of it. I'm renewed, I'm being there. May of twenty six is when I'm renewed too. I went to the conference, and I would tell you this, I didn't feel like a minority. I felt like because I didn't see I felt enough of me in control of the administrative side. It was a lot of non African American people, non minority people of color decision makers, I thought at the event, and that disappointed me. And it also made me realize that I need to have my game tied to the truth, which is facts. This is what I do coming to me because I offer you this as a DEI expert, and people listening to this show, how do we enable ourselves to win and not fall victim to stereotypes.

Now, when I saw you at the National Minorities Supply Development Council, I'm a proud member of it. I'm renewed, I'm being there. May of twenty six is when I'm renewed too. I went to the conference, and I would tell you this, I didn't feel like a minority. I felt like because I didn't see I felt enough of me in control of the administrative side. It was a lot of non African American people, non minority people of color decision makers, I thought at the event, and that disappointed me. And it also made me realize that I need to have my game tied to the truth, which is facts. This is what I do coming to me because I offer you this as a DEI expert, and people listening to this show, how do we enable ourselves to win and not fall victim to stereotypes.

So I'm a big believer that there is strength in numbers. And I'm also a big believer that in an era where DEI is under attack, our greatest asset is our diversity right and that our ability to build bridges between what I in some cases been disconnected communities of the like minded, meaning a bridge between the African American community and the Latino community, the Latino community and the Asian and community, the Asian community and the Native American community. Like we need to build these bridges, these coalitions in order to engender the very strength that can counter the forces that are working against us. So for me, if I had been asked that question years ago, I would have said to anyone listening, get outside of your comfort zone, engage with people different than you. But now I actually raise the bar and take it a step further. Now my advice is, don't just get out of your comfort zone. Be a bridge to communities that you would otherwise not be connected, to engage in dialogue with people who you would otherwise not engage in dialogue, and be the bridge that is needed to reconstitute the fraid fabric of our society and our democracy that it can be reconstituted. And that's a lofty way of responding to your question, but I believe that there are very deep, concerning questions that are that we have to begin asking right now about what is the future of our democracy, And I think we have to be at the front lines of ensuring that it remains intact.

So I'm a big believer that there is strength in numbers. And I'm also a big believer that in an era where DEI is under attack, our greatest asset is our diversity right and that our ability to build bridges between what I in some cases been disconnected communities of the like minded, meaning a bridge between the African American community and the Latino community, the Latino community and the Asian and community, the Asian community and the Native American community. Like we need to build these bridges, these coalitions in order to engender the very strength that can counter the forces that are working against us. So for me, if I had been asked that question years ago, I would have said to anyone listening, get outside of your comfort zone, engage with people different than you. But now I actually raise the bar and take it a step further. Now my advice is, don't just get out of your comfort zone. Be a bridge to communities that you would otherwise not be connected, to engage in dialogue with people who you would otherwise not engage in dialogue, and be the bridge that is needed to reconstitute the fraid fabric of our society and our democracy that it can be reconstituted. And that's a lofty way of responding to your question, but I believe that there are very deep, concerning questions that are that we have to begin asking right now about what is the future of our democracy, And I think we have to be at the front lines of ensuring that it remains intact.

Yeah, and I agree with that.

Yeah, and I agree with that.

I'm also a person who clearly understands people believe what they see, people believe what they hear. When I go to black radio, I hear personal injury commercials dominating the airwaves. I rarely hear of what I consider fortune five hundred commercials on black radio. When I say fortune five hundred, I come about Apple, Google commercials, Delle commercials, Gas commercials. And it really disheartened me because you know, people will sell what they think people they should sell to people, you know, which is concerts, television, entertainment. That's what you hear on black radio. And I will tell you this, doctor Pinkett. I was I my podcast, Oscar Meyer, Amazon, Dale, BMW, Infinity, every Techno, low At and T Verizon. I'm just saying this because it let me know that the perception carries a lot of weight where advertisers want to put their dollars. They come into my port, my platform, and I'm black. They know that sixty percent of my audience is black. But then the radio stations they're playing music to black people.

I'm also a person who clearly understands people believe what they see, people believe what they hear. When I go to black radio, I hear personal injury commercials dominating the airwaves. I rarely hear of what I consider fortune five hundred commercials on black radio. When I say fortune five hundred, I come about Apple, Google commercials, Delle commercials, Gas commercials. And it really disheartened me because you know, people will sell what they think people they should sell to people, you know, which is concerts, television, entertainment. That's what you hear on black radio. And I will tell you this, doctor Pinkett. I was I my podcast, Oscar Meyer, Amazon, Dale, BMW, Infinity, every Techno, low At and T Verizon. I'm just saying this because it let me know that the perception carries a lot of weight where advertisers want to put their dollars. They come into my port, my platform, and I'm black. They know that sixty percent of my audience is black. But then the radio stations they're playing music to black people.

Don't get these commercials.

Don't get these commercials.

When you hear that, and you're a research guy, what are your thoughts?

When you hear that, and you're a research guy, what are your thoughts?

But you know, I think that there are corporations and you referenced a few that support your program that recognize and value the black dollar, right, recognize and value the economic wherewithal that is the African American community. And I think that there are corporations who take that for granted or are like leafs in the wind. After George Floyd's murder, they rushed to make commitments to our community. When the attacks came on DI they rushed right away.

But you know, I think that there are corporations and you referenced a few that support your program that recognize and value the black dollar, right, recognize and value the economic wherewithal that is the African American community. And I think that there are corporations who take that for granted or are like leafs in the wind. After George Floyd's murder, they rushed to make commitments to our community. When the attacks came on DI they rushed right away.

I think they moved faster away.

I think they moved faster away.

Yeah, yeah, I mean, I mean the research says that three hundred and forty billion dollars were pledged after George Floyd's murder. That's you know, a third of a trillion dollars. That's significant. And some corporations have maintained and sustained those commitments in some of them have run away, Yes, And in response to that, I say, is therefore incumbent upon us that if if you're not willing to keep your commitments dust, then we should not keep our commitments to you. So I believe in the boycotts. I believe in the spending restrictions. I believe in voting with your wallet that you support the corporations that support the things that you care about. And if a corporation isn't willing to commit those dollars to the things that are that matter to me, then I'm not willing to give them up my money.

Yeah, yeah, I mean, I mean the research says that three hundred and forty billion dollars were pledged after George Floyd's murder. That's you know, a third of a trillion dollars. That's significant. And some corporations have maintained and sustained those commitments in some of them have run away, Yes, And in response to that, I say, is therefore incumbent upon us that if if you're not willing to keep your commitments dust, then we should not keep our commitments to you. So I believe in the boycotts. I believe in the spending restrictions. I believe in voting with your wallet that you support the corporations that support the things that you care about. And if a corporation isn't willing to commit those dollars to the things that are that matter to me, then I'm not willing to give them up my money.

I truly understand that and believe that I'm talking to doctor Randall Pinkett. He's just chairming the CEO of BCT Partners, at global multimillion dollar research, training, consulting, technology, and data analytics firm whose mission is to leverage which I love, diversity insights, which is the most powerful word that in the last twenty five years that's been put out there. You, insights is tied to social media. Insights is tied to Amazon. That's why they will give up those insights when they go and ask for them about fifty years ago, because they can know why you buy and how you spend, and they can basically influence your thought process. When you're dealing with the insights, how do you gather not trying to give away your trade seekers, how do you gather your insights?

I truly understand that and believe that I'm talking to doctor Randall Pinkett. He's just chairming the CEO of BCT Partners, at global multimillion dollar research, training, consulting, technology, and data analytics firm whose mission is to leverage which I love, diversity insights, which is the most powerful word that in the last twenty five years that's been put out there. You, insights is tied to social media. Insights is tied to Amazon. That's why they will give up those insights when they go and ask for them about fifty years ago, because they can know why you buy and how you spend, and they can basically influence your thought process. When you're dealing with the insights, how do you gather not trying to give away your trade seekers, how do you gather your insights?

Uh? Well, again, we collect quantitative data via surveys, We collect qualitative data via interviews and focus groups, and then we also leverage what's called administrative data. Administrative data is data that's sitting within a data management system. Think about a electronic health records system or a case management system, which is housing data relative to the delivery of a program or a service for an intended beneficiary. Right, So it's the social service agency managing the data of the delivery of social services. It's the health clinic that has a data system managing the delivery of health services. It's the employment training organization is managing the data for the delivery of their employment training services. We analyze that data using nowadays artificial intelligence, more specifically machine learning, under the banner of an approach that we call precision analytics, and I talk about this in my most recent book, Data Driven DEI, where precision analytics is able to analyze that data to determine what are those interventions are most effective for which groups and under what conditions, which gives the ability for our clients to be very precise. Hence precision analytics about delivering only those interventions to those people that it is more likely, if not maximly likely to work. So we're not wasting dollars. We're very effective and efficient with our investments and in the spirit of equity, because the definition of equity is giving people what they need, and so our precision analytics is able to know what works to then give people what they need.

Uh? Well, again, we collect quantitative data via surveys, We collect qualitative data via interviews and focus groups, and then we also leverage what's called administrative data. Administrative data is data that's sitting within a data management system. Think about a electronic health records system or a case management system, which is housing data relative to the delivery of a program or a service for an intended beneficiary. Right, So it's the social service agency managing the data of the delivery of social services. It's the health clinic that has a data system managing the delivery of health services. It's the employment training organization is managing the data for the delivery of their employment training services. We analyze that data using nowadays artificial intelligence, more specifically machine learning, under the banner of an approach that we call precision analytics, and I talk about this in my most recent book, Data Driven DEI, where precision analytics is able to analyze that data to determine what are those interventions are most effective for which groups and under what conditions, which gives the ability for our clients to be very precise. Hence precision analytics about delivering only those interventions to those people that it is more likely, if not maximly likely to work. So we're not wasting dollars. We're very effective and efficient with our investments and in the spirit of equity, because the definition of equity is giving people what they need, and so our precision analytics is able to know what works to then give people what they need.

I'm a close the show with a couple of questions here. The first one is I got to go back to AFII because I know I'll tell everybody that you know, I'm a remember Maga Sci Fi and U. When I pledged, it changed my life. It really did change my life. You know they kind of feel with a little bit. I mean, we used to worry Phil. They told me the pledge program was six weeks, lasted thirteen weeks, and we won't get into some other conversations, but I wanted you to do because a lot of people who don't know about fraternities or sororities, they have a perception of stereotype. How did it affect your life back then and how does it still impact your life today?

I'm a close the show with a couple of questions here. The first one is I got to go back to AFII because I know I'll tell everybody that you know, I'm a remember Maga Sci Fi and U. When I pledged, it changed my life. It really did change my life. You know they kind of feel with a little bit. I mean, we used to worry Phil. They told me the pledge program was six weeks, lasted thirteen weeks, and we won't get into some other conversations, but I wanted you to do because a lot of people who don't know about fraternities or sororities, they have a perception of stereotype. How did it affect your life back then and how does it still impact your life today?

A FI.

A FI.

Yeah, pledging a fraternity, Pledging Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. Now they put that into context. My dad was an Alpha, my dad's brother, my uncle was Alpha. My first cousin, my dad's sister's son's an Alpha, and one of the co found ers of BCT Partners, who was my college roommate, the best man at my wedding, and my longest standing brother. Amongst the four of us who founded b CT, you know, all four of us, we consider ourselves brothers. Jeffrey Robinson was my line brother. Doctor Jeffrey Robinson was my line brother. So Alpha is in my blood and it's benefited me throughout my.

Yeah, pledging a fraternity, Pledging Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated was one of the best decisions I've made in my life. Now they put that into context. My dad was an Alpha, my dad's brother, my uncle was Alpha. My first cousin, my dad's sister's son's an Alpha, and one of the co found ers of BCT Partners, who was my college roommate, the best man at my wedding, and my longest standing brother. Amongst the four of us who founded b CT, you know, all four of us, we consider ourselves brothers. Jeffrey Robinson was my line brother. Doctor Jeffrey Robinson was my line brother. So Alpha is in my blood and it's benefited me throughout my.

Cat You stamp dope? Can you stamp stamp dope?

Cat You stamp dope? Can you stamp stamp dope?

Hey? Hey, hey, hey hey you But it's it's it's not just the brotherhood, it's how we embody that brotherhood. And you know this from your lived experience. It's how we support each other. It's how we affirm each other. It's how through all of life stages and we become fathers and husbands and business people and leaders, how we wrap our arms around each other as black men in a world where our relationships sustain us. That brotherhood affirms us and the organization propels us. So I got nothing be love for the divine nine across the board. I love what we do for our communities. I love what we do for our families, and I love what we do for each other.

Hey? Hey, hey, hey hey you But it's it's it's not just the brotherhood, it's how we embody that brotherhood. And you know this from your lived experience. It's how we support each other. It's how we affirm each other. It's how through all of life stages and we become fathers and husbands and business people and leaders, how we wrap our arms around each other as black men in a world where our relationships sustain us. That brotherhood affirms us and the organization propels us. So I got nothing be love for the divine nine across the board. I love what we do for our communities. I love what we do for our families, and I love what we do for each other.

When I was in college, I could only go back to your book, your first book, No Money Down, CEO.

When I was in college, I could only go back to your book, your first book, No Money Down, CEO.

How to start your dream business with little or no cash. Now my first business, I was in the.

How to start your dream business with little or no cash. Now my first business, I was in the.

Dorms and I was working in a Delhi and I was selling pizza. I found out I can get buy a pizza cross for twenty five cents. I got me some ragu I was selling pepperoni and Hamburger pieces five dollars lining out the door. That was my first venture into being in a small business owner, didn't know, didn't have a business plannery day, I was just making money, keeping the lights over. As they say, your book, no money down, CEO, more money.

Dorms and I was working in a Delhi and I was selling pizza. I found out I can get buy a pizza cross for twenty five cents. I got me some ragu I was selling pepperoni and Hamburger pieces five dollars lining out the door. That was my first venture into being in a small business owner, didn't know, didn't have a business plannery day, I was just making money, keeping the lights over. As they say, your book, no money down, CEO, more money.

How'd you start your dream? How did you thought about, how was the thought process.

How'd you start your dream? How did you thought about, how was the thought process.

And doing that, and how does the benefit a reader because there's still available of purchase.

And doing that, and how does the benefit a reader because there's still available of purchase.

Yes, I'll have to close on this question. And uh, it's a great question to close on. No money down, CEO. I say colloquially, it's for the it's for the broke entrepreneurs. We were broke, we had no money companies, we had no money. When we started our business. We were broke, and we were able to figure out how to launch and grow a multimillion dollar venture with no money down. And so it's about picking and choosing very wisely. Not only what business do you pursue, because not every business can you start without with no money down. It'd be hard to start a manufacturing business with no money down manufacturing equipment, but a consulting firm, which is a people based firm, you could pull it off, and we pulled it off. It's that and then it's the discipline, the hyper discipline to invest, reinvest every single dollar you're able to eke out and not pull it out to buy something frivolous or to go on some vacation. It is to sacrifice delayed gratification so that what little you're able to eke out, you're putting it right back into the business again and again and again to give you the best shot at growth.

Yes, I'll have to close on this question. And uh, it's a great question to close on. No money down, CEO. I say colloquially, it's for the it's for the broke entrepreneurs. We were broke, we had no money companies, we had no money. When we started our business. We were broke, and we were able to figure out how to launch and grow a multimillion dollar venture with no money down. And so it's about picking and choosing very wisely. Not only what business do you pursue, because not every business can you start without with no money down. It'd be hard to start a manufacturing business with no money down manufacturing equipment, but a consulting firm, which is a people based firm, you could pull it off, and we pulled it off. It's that and then it's the discipline, the hyper discipline to invest, reinvest every single dollar you're able to eke out and not pull it out to buy something frivolous or to go on some vacation. It is to sacrifice delayed gratification so that what little you're able to eke out, you're putting it right back into the business again and again and again to give you the best shot at growth.

But how do you get that discipline? You young? Now?

But how do you get that discipline? You young? Now?

Well, I got to close on that question because I had a hard stop. I'm happy to rush to reschedule time to continue the conversation.

Well, I got to close on that question because I had a hard stop. I'm happy to rush to reschedule time to continue the conversation.

I appreciate you.

I appreciate you.

I appreciate your time we're giving me and welcome and again we'll talk soon. And thank you for coming on Money Making Conversation master Class. Be safe, brother, hope you enjoyed it. God blessed, Bye bye. This has been another edition of Money Making Conversation Masterclass hosted by me Rashaun McDonald. Thank you to our guests, on the show today and thank you. I'll listen to your audience now. If you want to listen to any episode I want to be a guest on the show. Visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Social media handle is money Making Conversation. Join us next week and remember to always leave with your gifts.

I appreciate your time we're giving me and welcome and again we'll talk soon. And thank you for coming on Money Making Conversation master Class. Be safe, brother, hope you enjoyed it. God blessed, Bye bye. This has been another edition of Money Making Conversation Masterclass hosted by me Rashaun McDonald. Thank you to our guests, on the show today and thank you. I'll listen to your audience now. If you want to listen to any episode I want to be a guest on the show. Visit Moneymakingconversations dot com. Social media handle is money Making Conversation. Join us next week and remember to always leave with your gifts.

Keep winning.

Keep winning.