TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Job Loss Wake Up 01:09 Welcome To The Show 02:36 From Buffalo To DC 04:55 Chocolate City Inspiration 07:09 Bet On Yourself 08:53 Engineering To Education 11:07 Launching A Charter School 11:32 Building Equity Now 12:44 Money And Marriage 14:19 Sponsor Break 15:07 Literacy Vs Wellness 17:47 Teaching Kids Investing 20:57 Training Teachers Too 24:58 Starting A School Process 26:14 Raising 30 Million 29:23 Deal Structure Lessons 29:52 Charter Enrollment Reality 31:12 Lottery Not Cherry Picking 32:44 Award And Financial Curriculum 33:54 Community Stewardship Model 35:15 Autonomy And Charter Debate 39:13 DEI Backlash Funding Fight 41:41 School Day Phones And AI 46:24 Charter Vs Private School 50:56 Scaling Plans And Early Learning 55:49 Invest Fest And Workshop 59:35 Legacy Family And Closing In this episode of Earn Your Leisure, we sit down with Shomari James to break down his journey from leaving his hometown to building a $30 million charter school and redefining what education can look like. From witnessing Black excellence in DC to making bold moves without fear, Shomari shares the mindset, strategy, and vision it takes to create real impact. He also opens up about building a nonprofit for protection, empowering his family financially, and why telling your spouse they can quit their job is one of the ultimate goals of success. We dive deep into the education system—charter schools vs public schools, whether charter schools are helping or hurting education, and what truly makes a school successful. Shomari explains how his school was built with 40% Black male educators, why financial literacy must start early, and how initiatives like custodial accounts and scholarships can change the trajectory of children’s lives. From teaching 5-year-olds about money to discussing uniforms, technology in classrooms, and the impact of losing DEI funding, this conversation is packed with game-changing insights for parents, educators, and entrepreneurs alike. #EarnYourLeisure #EYL #CharterSchools #FinancialLiteracy #EducationReform #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship #WealthBuilding #Investing #Nonprofit #PublicSchools #PrivateSchools #FinancialEducation #DEI #Business #Mindset #SuccessSubscribe and watch more videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@EarnYourLeisure Join the EYL community for deeper training and a more detailed approach: https://www.eyluniversity.com Join the number one stock club in the world: https://www.ianinvest.com Invest Fest | August 7-9, 2026 Grab early bird tickets now: https://www.investfest.com