Recently, I joined football legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson on their podcast, Nightcap. Let me tell you—these two legends brought the energy, and we had a real conversation about what it takes to build wealth, the importance of financial literacy, and why making “smart sexy” should be the new trend.
Shannon set the tone early, sharing his incredible 800+ credit score. (Yes, you read that right.) That opened the door for me to highlight something we don’t talk about enough: credit is often more valuable than cash. I shared what I’ve told many people before—if your assets are sitting on your ass, you’re not wealthy. We’ve got to shift our focus from quick cash to building sustainable wealth.
One of the highlights of the conversation was tackling a common debate: Would you rather have $1 million in cash or an 800 credit score? I broke it down simply—without financial literacy, that $1 million won’t last. In fact, most lottery winners go broke within a few years because they’ve never learned how to build or maintain wealth. It’s not about the money in your pocket today; it’s about what you’re building for tomorrow.
I also touched on something personal: growing up in Compton and South Central, coming from a place of economic poverty to where I am today. It wasn’t magic—it was mindset. We’ve got to focus on knowledge, confidence, and discipline. I even shared practical steps:
- Start small with fractional investments—just $5 can get you in the game.
- Cut unnecessary expenses, like daily coffee or habits that drain your budget.
- Learn how credit works—it’s as important as a four-year college degree.
What hit home for me was Shannon and Chad’s openness to learning and sharing this wisdom with their audience. They understand that financial literacy is a civil rights issue of our time. We all need to take ownership of our economic futures, and that starts with knowledge.
As I always say, “You make money during the day, but you build wealth in your sleep.” If you’re ready to start building, I invite you to visit Operation HOPE and take advantage of our free financial coaching. Whether you’re working to raise your credit score, save for a home, or start a business, we’re here to help.
Watch the full episode here, and let’s keep the conversation going. Together, we can make smart the new sexy.