Nurah Speaks

Not all are celebrating Mother’s Day in the same way. Some are celebrating without their mothers and some mothers are celebrating without their children. In honor of this Mother’s Day, I want to share an interview with a mother who I admire greatly, Sonja Prince. Sonja is the Executive Director of the Kwesi Prince Foundation, a pediatric cancer organization dedicated to providing support to families suffering the devastating effects of Childhood Cancer with a focus on brain tumors. The foundation is named in honor of Kwesi Prince, Sonja’s son, who was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumor in 2010 when he was just 7 years old. After multiple brain surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and a bone marrow transplant, Sonja lost Kwesi in 2014. Listen as Sonja shares their journey and the amazing work of the Kwesi Prince Foundation. This conversation with Sonja is informative and listeners will learn: -how friends and family can support caregivers of children with cancer -the extreme need for increased fundi

Leadership can be more pain than glory and few truly appreciate the demands of a good leader.  Anyone seeking to be in leadership (or those already leading) should ask themselves the following important questions: Who - Who are you- Who do you want to lead-Who has lead you-Who is leading you now? What - What are your qualifications that validates your desire for leadership? Where - What is your ultimate destination for those whom you wish to lead?  What is your end-goal? When - Will you serve only when it’s convenient?  Are you a 9-5 leader?  Or will you serve when it is not easy or convenient, when the cameras are not rolling, when the crowd is not large, when your allies are not present? Why - What is your why and motivation? Are you leading for clout, ego, vanity or personal access?  Can your 'why' make you vulnerable? How - How will you lead? What is your leadership style? How Much- How much are you willing to give and how much are you willing to endure? If you would like to engag

Liberal media using Donald Trump as the scapegoat for American racism is a distraction. Sure, his language may be deemed incendiary to some and insensitive to others. However, we have to be clear that he is not the author of bigotry or prejudicial behavior in this country. There is a four decades long track record of racism in the American fabric that existed well before Trump’s business endeavors or presidency. We can easily become distracted when pundits, cable news anchors or commentators scream “Racism” each time Trump says or tweets something outrageous. Before major news outlets were following his tweets, we, Black people in America, faced racism in the housing markets, in education, in healthcare, in the criminal justice system, and so on. If our attention is diverted from breaking down inequities in these structures each time someone screams about Trump, what progress would we make? Here is an example… I read an article recently which recounted racist slurs and insults directed towards an American fen

Recently, Dr. Terry Mason, former Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Chicago, was a guest on CROE-TV discussing how we can stay healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.  He shared four key steps that should implemented for good health during our current crises and at any time: 1.   Manage Stress When our stress is high, our the stress hormone cortisol is released into the blood stream.  Cortisol increases our heart rate, blood pressure, constricts our blood vessels and increases blood glucose levels. These health impacts over an extended period of time can lead to significant health issues like heart disease, heart attacks, stroke and diabetes. 2.  Get Proper Sleep Poor sleep can increase inflammation, blood pressure, insulin resistance, cortisol, weight gain, and cardiovascular disease, as well as decrease blood sugar regulation. Less than five hours sleep per night on a regular basis is associated with higher mortality, and having less than seven hours sleep for three

Fasting has such great benefits for our health. But it contradicts with our American culture that promotes an overindulgent lifestyle wherein we are encouraged to do, say and be whatever we want. However, as we are confronted now more than ever with our mortality in the wake of COVID19, we really have to examine our thoughts and habits around food-and the impacts on our health. Fasting is the foregoing of food for a specified period of time and it has several benefits including: •cleanses impurities from the blood •causes the body to eliminate toxins from previous meals •allows the body to rest •clears the mind •regulates the mood, promotes a humble spirit If you are challenged with high blood pressure and high blood sugar consider changing your eating habits. Three, four, six times a day to eat puts a lot of tax and strain on the digestive system. I encourage you to research the benefits of fasting for yourself.  If you want to try fasting, I would encourage you to begin eliminating meals.  For exa

We know about the disparities in healthcare. We know of the inequities in access and treatment. Therefore, the best choices we have are to create optimal wellness through good lifestyle choices and begin development of a healthcare network of our own. Though some may say that developing our own healthcare system is a long ways away, good choices are ours to make today. If there is anything that the COVID-19 pandemic is showing us is that in a national emergency we will continue to suffer the most and suffer the worst. What will we do differently so that when the next crises comes, we will be a much less vulnerable population? If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@NurahSpeaks.com.  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link. Follow Nurah Speaks @NurahSpeaksPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email info@Nur

Let’s create a lifestyle for ourselves that supports good physical and financial health.  This way, if we live in a state of readiness, we will be better prepared when life’s next disaster strikes. Healthwise- Don’t smoke, drink and abuse drugs. Eat nutritiously. Practice fasting. Get plenty of exercise, at least 20 minutes daily. Financially- Create a rainy day fund and stash it in a high interest savings account.  Set up recurring deposits. Consider what you wish you had now. Greater savings?  Self employment?  Home based business?  Better health.  Survival kit?  Write it down and in this moment of forced stillness, consider what you can begin to do to make this your reality. In the episode, I share briefly how my lifestyle of 20 plus years has helped me to be prepared for straiter times as a tenuous food supply and economic instability.  The links below can explain more on the benefits of navy beans and eating one meal a day as is customary in my culture and religion

We are in unprecedented times. •World Wide Pandemic •National Crises •State of Emergency •Social distancing •Executive Orders •Mandatory Curfews In all of this confusion and uncertainty, I want my Nurah Speaks family to know that, "I am in this with you!"  And I believe that by being smart, safe and informed-we can keep our sanity as this crises passes. In this episode, I share tips to help you protect your physical and emotional wellness and that of your loved ones. Think of all those times that you didn't have time to do what you wanted or needed to do… •Start that home project •Start that new book •Master new recipes •Get your exercise in •Spend time loving on your spouse and children To help maintain your spirits- rise early, get dressed and do your hair. Just because you may be stuck inside, do not neglect attending to your personal care and grooming.  It also is not ideal to spend all day in the clothes that you slept in. While you may not need to put on your business suit, you can still put o

As the saying goes - “If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go together.” No matter how progressive one thinks himself to be, it is not truly proven until he or she works collectively in group operations with others. Organizational Success requires commitment, sacrifice, humility and maturity. Organizational success requires us to grow beyond seeing our people as economic opportunities and mature into the actual service of our people that creates long term activity and success. Last weekend I spend time visiting an organization in Chicago, incorporated 33 years ago by three men. The Coalition for Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad was founded by Brothers Munir Muhammad, Shahid Muslim and Halif Muhammad. At their 33rd Founders’ Day celebration, it was their first without Brother Munir Muhammad who departed this life last year. Yet despite the loss of this charismatic leader, the organization continues to move forward in service of their long ago established guiding principles. Therefore, t

In Episode 110 I share with listeners what I think is so great about podcasts. For one, podcasting democratizes media and the ability to communicate to a broad base.  Podcasting makes communication accessible even to those without deep corporate backing.  It lends opportunity for everyone-not just those mainstreamed to the top of the charts.  And it allows alternative voices a platform to be heard. Another thing that is great bit about podcasting is that it is inexpensive.  There are free hosting platforms and the only equipment you really need to start is a smartphone.  You do not need to invest big dollars to make a worthwhile project. Something else that I love about podcasting is the huge variety in shows and topics!  There are podcasts about news, politics and crime and justice.  There are non fiction works that are like television shows (minus the visual input).  There are shows on or by entertainers.  There are podcasts for used car salesmen, thrift store lo

Here to discuss vision health and more is this week’s guest Dr. Sandra West.  Dr. West is an optometrist having 27 years of practice. She also happens to be my own doctor. I met Dr. West several years ago when I scheduled a routine vision exam and to my surprise and delight the doctor was a Black woman.  Interestingly enough, when I attended a business conference in New Orleans several months later, we found ourselves meeting again as attendees of the same conference. We talk a little about that in this episode. I asked Dr. West to be a guest on the show not because she is my personal doctor but because of what I knew she would offer Nurah Speaks listeners.  Not only does Dr. West teach us when we should begin vision checks, but also what our doctors are checking for and some of the latest technology aiding optometrists today.  Additionally she shares insights into her own childhood, how she was raised by dynamic parents and what parents can do to prepare children for future success.  

Several months ago I came across an article titled, ‘Black Women Can No Longer Afford To Save Broken Black Men.’ Now you ‘know’ this is something I had to discuss on Nurah Speaks! Not only do I find that some Black women have a misplaced 'savior' complex, but often we assign responsibility to men for many of our own ill advised choices. For example: •Who decided we are supposed to save or capable of saving any man? •If a man is broken, why are we entering a relationship with him? •Why would we give a man our resources, time and even our bodies if they’ve demonstrated no commitment and worthiness? These questions must be raised in a discussion such as this that condemn broken black men and sanctify the black women who get involved with them. That said, this episode is not meant as a ridicule of the sister who penned the article. However, I believe that we must be cautious of the messages funneled to us, as well as the intent and potential hazards of those messages. The article appeared in an online publication

This episode was inspired by actual events.  Several months ago, I saw a black mother curse out and slap her teen son in public for absolutely no reason other than her own gratification.  I describe the incident in this episode and another that was captured on cell phone video that went viral in late 2019. The brutish language and treatment we mothers render to our black boys is shaping the men they will eventually become.  We often seem to forget that our children are people like us who are deserving of respect, compassion and love. They will grow to be adults required to function in the world.  So we must ask ourselves, is our mothering preparing them to function as: •Confident and Compassionate Men •Timid and Insecure Men or •Brutal and Bullying Men? We must find the patience, admiration and love required to shape our sons to grow into great men.   The original video mentioned in the episode has been removed from YouTube.  However, you can use the following link to view the

Pictured from the back. Lewd poses in sexually suggestive photos. Deceptive messaging is encouraging our young women to believe their power lies in their sex appeal when attraction is naturally occurring with no significant effort on our part.  It is already installed in the human nature. But the real and genuine power is in the ability to influence peace or war, create harmony or strife, generate love or hatred and in general shape the future.   We help our young women cheat themselves of their great potential when we teach them to misdirect their value. If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@NurahSpeaks.com.  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link. Follow Nurah Speaks @NurahSpeaksPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email info@NurahSpeaks.com Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Mo

In an era popular with youth task forces and social programs serving ‘at risk’ youth, we must ask what we can do to head off delinquent behaviors in our young people. In this episode, I suggest that ‘Family Is The Best Social Program’ and I have research that I share to support this assertion. The research indicates that, “Children born to unmarried mothers generally receive lower human capital investments because the contractual partnership between the parents is less stable, and sometimes nonexistent (**Becker, 1981).” In other words, we increase the likelihood of unfavorable outcomes for our children when we do not anchor them in families to provide them the needed moral, social and economic supports. Frankly, we cannot reasonably expect to make a healthy community when a large segment of our children are conceived by people who neither parent likes or desires to create a family with. Families are the beginning of life lessons that cultivate us to interact within our broader community and nation. So if we

I am joined this week by Sister Aquila Ali.  Aquila is a member of the Coalition for Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad (CROE) and is an integral part of their media production team.  Unfortunately for black women in media, the bar has been set very low in terms of image and content.  However Aquila continues to endure as an example of character and integrity In this conversation, Aquila chronicles her journey in becoming a member of CROE and a student of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, her role within the media production team and she shares what she believes black women must understand about the root of our confidence.   You are going to enjoy this conversation and it will surely enlighten listeners to the unexplored prominence that women have in the Nation of Islam.   To learn more about CROE and the Honorable Elijah Muhammad visit CROE.org. Make sure you watch and subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC--UCt5LqFF3IW5fLn5lH2g and follow on facebook @CROETV. Email your i

On this MLK Day of Service be reminded of the fullness of Dr. King’s movement.  We cannot let him be another figure we memorialize in distortion. He was more than his passive resistance.  He was a fierce opponent of injustice, standing in full defiance to racism, poverty and unjust war. On this 25th MLK Day of Service, 52 years after his tragic assassination, be reminded that the justice he sought then, we still seek today.  The work must continue and it must continue with us. If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@NurahSpeaks.com.  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link. Follow Nurah Speaks @NurahSpeaksPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email info@NurahSpeaks.com Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

When contending with others for a political seat, position or job remember that you are only opponents. You are not enemies and you do not need to respond as such. Do not let policy, platforms or party affiliation make us enemies to each other and conduct ourselves on the campaign trail in a manner lacking integrity and pride. I cannot say how many times I have seen others hostile, emotionally inflamed or personally affronted when challenged for the same position. Taking a challenge personally speaks to the character and maturity of the person seeking the opportunity. And how one reacts speaks of the same. If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@NurahSpeaks.com.  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link. Follow Nurah Speaks @NurahSpeaksPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email info@NurahSpeaks.c

To be progressive, a good rule of thumb is, "Beware of unhappy people!" You know the sort of people I’m talking about who have a problem for every solution or a sad story to tell every - single - time you encounter them. For the purposes of this episode, I reference them by first and last name: Bad News Barry, Whispering Wilma, Gossiping Gloria, Negative Nancy and Gloomy Glenn. If you want to be supported in your goals or if you simply just want live a pleasant lifestyle, you have no place for them in your life. Instead, you have to yoke yourself with others who share in the objectives you have for your marriage, career, education, health and fitness or lifestyle goals in general. Unhappy people love to create converts. Listen to this episode to learn how to avoid becoming one of them. If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@NurahSpeaks.com.  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: NurahSpeaks.com or reading her bl

Closing out the Nurah Speaks 'Buy Black' series is Dr. Nicole Muhammad, Founder and CEO of Sew Elevated. Sew Elevated is an online boutique of fabulously stylish garments. Sew Elevated designs have been described as alluring, elegant and fashion forward. Featured in both Philly Fashion Week and Chicago Fashion Week, these garments are created to make a statement. Start your New Year in style. Visit SewElevated.com. Follow @SewElevated on Instagram and Facebook. Remember to subscribe to the Nurah Speaks podcast and remember to rate and review. If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@NurahSpeaks.com.  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link. Follow Nurah Speaks @NurahSpeaksPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email info@NurahSpeaks.com Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!