We sat down with hip-hop pioneer, Russell Simmons, during his visit to Ferndale, where he was attending a fundraiser to help prop up a healthy foods store in Flint. Simmons has engaged with Flint and Detroit residents on ways to help create positive change in their communities. Here, he talks about the necessity of stimulating the creative muscles of aspiring entrepreneurs.

For more from our interview with Russell Simmons, be sure to check out this Sunday’s episode of American Black Journal, where the hip-hop mogul and philanthropist reflects on his visits with Flint residents in the aftermath of the water crisis: