Summary
Highlights
Mona discusses her battles with ADD and her mother's decision not to medicate her, leading to behavioral issues in school. She describes her progression from minor infractions to more serious offenses, including an altercation with a teacher and a robbery charge. She attributes some of her early legal troubles to the "kids for cash" scandal, where children from disadvantaged backgrounds were unjustly incarcerated. Mona also talks about boosting (shoplifting) as an early and profitable criminal activity, and how she never truly respected the law.
After graduating high school with a lengthy juvenile record, Mona's plan to attend North Carolina Central University was sidetracked when she moved back to Philadelphia. She met a wealthy drug dealer and abandoned her college plans, quickly immersing herself in the street life. By age 21, she found herself in federal prison, a stark reality she attributes to a rapid descent into crime after high school. She explains how she learned to cook and sell crack cocaine, driven by the lure of easy money, and how she became involved in booster operations exporting goods from bigger stores.
Mona details her indictment on drug charges, which she describes as stemming from 'some dumb shit' involving a codefendant. She recounts her arrest and the federal agent's provocative statement about her facing 30 years. She also shares a poignant story about her father's unexpected pride in her indictment and her initial refusal to cooperate with authorities. A stroke of luck and 'favor' came with changes to the 100-to-1 crack cocaine sentencing disparity, and the unexpected intervention of her federal agent uncle, reducing her sentence to a year and a day.
Upon release, Mona struggled with her probation officer and the challenges of re-entering society. Amidst personal tragedies, including the murder of a cousin and a boyfriend, she became pregnant while incarcerated again. This unexpected pregnancy with her daughter, Amina, became a turning point. She discusses her determination to provide for her daughter, continuing boosting even while pregnant, and her refusal to let prison life mimic her father's distant relationship with her. She also reflects on how her face becoming 'too famous' for committing crimes ultimately led her to stop.
Mona openly admits that her current success as a viral star and podcast host was not a childhood dream. She shares how a prayer for a sign, combined with her natural comedic talent, led to her first video going viral in 2018. From there, she quickly found success in stand-up comedy and podcasting, appearing on popular shows like 'Literally Speaking' and 'Million Dollaz Worth of Game.' She discusses how she leveraged her internet presence and clips to grow her own podcast, 'Don't Call Me White Girl,' eventually gaining full ownership. She also describes joining the 'Joe Budden Podcast,' highlighting the magnitude of her journey in the media space.
Mona discusses the challenges of navigating new-found fame, particularly the harshness of online comments and the inability to physically retaliate in the way she was accustomed to. She emphasizes the importance of staying true to herself and not conforming to societal expectations. Looking ahead, Mona expresses excitement for the future, fueled by her ability to make a legal income and pursue philanthropic endeavors. She aims to use her platform for activism and dreams of expanding her reach through touring and potentially writing a book, hoping to inspire at-risk youth and those with similar backgrounds.
Mona recounts her tumultuous childhood, including her father's incarceration when she was five and her relocation from North Philly to the suburbs of Delaware. She describes feeling bored in the suburbs, which led to an introduction to drugs and trouble. Mona details being expelled in first grade for pushing a classmate down stairs, and later being suspended for extortion in middle school. These early experiences, coupled with a lack of fear of death, set a pattern of rebellious behavior.