Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Michelle Taylor Willis.

Author, Speaker, Award-Winning Community Leader

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

To explore Michelle’s guidebook “Raising Significance”, which offers practical advice for parents on how to raise children who are not just successful, but significant—meaning they positively impact the world around them. The interview also highlights Michelle’s personal journey, her community work, and the values that drive her.

🔑 Key Takeaways 1. Success vs. Significance

Michelle defines a powerful distinction:

“Success is about you and your immediate circle. Significance is about how you turn your success to work for everybody else.”

Her book aims to help parents raise children who are intentional change-makers, not just achievers.

2. Eight Tenets of Parenting

While not all are listed in the interview, Michelle emphasizes one foundational principle:

“Obey immediately and happily.”
This sets the tone for discipline, respect, and responsiveness in children.

3. Healthy Fear is Necessary

Michelle advocates for instilling a respectful fear of authority and consequences:

“Sometimes you just need to do what I say do… because I’m saving your life.”

4. Music Enhances Critical Thinking

Michelle encourages early musical education:

“All my kids started piano at five… There’s a direct correlation between music, math, and critical thinking.”

Rashawn shares his own experience with music and how it shaped his memory and academic success.

5. Greek Life as a Catalyst

Both Michelle (AKA) and Rashawn (Omega Psi Phi) reflect on how joining Black Greek organizations shaped their discipline, focus, and lifelong networks:

“It was a life-changing event… It expanded my value of relationships and networking.”

6. Community Recognition Matters

Michelle expresses deep gratitude for being honored:

“I will never be sick of somebody telling me they value what I do.”

She views awards not as vanity but as validation of meaningful work.

7. Parenting with Purpose

Michelle’s book is not about perfection but intentionality:

“I’m not a parenting expert… But if you instill these things early, significance won’t be accidental—it’ll be inevitable.”

💬 Notable Quotes

On parenting:

“You act happy about it. Because if you don’t act happy, then you’re going to make me unhappy. And I promise you, you don’t want me unhappy.”

On legacy:

“Raising significance is about how you teach your children to change the world—and teach others to do the same.”

On humility:

“It’s never about me.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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