Nurah Speaks

“You better wake up and smell the real flavor/Cause 911 is a fake life saver!” If you remember the classic Public Enemy hit song, “911 Is A Joke” then you remember this line. This is the song that came to mind when I overheard a conversation about religion and our youth’s rejection of it. I do not actually think that religion is a joke-I am being facetious with the title of this episode. But I do think that our young people see it that way. I’ve often heard older folks lamenting about our young people, “They won’t come to the church” “What’s wrong with them” or “This is a lost generation!” I’d suggest that our young people are in fact a reflection of the generation that produced them and if they don’t see any value in religion, it is because we have not shown them the value of religion. Scripture teaches us that, ‘Faith without works is dead.” I also say, “Talk without works is dead” and if our young people hear our talk but don’t see the rewards in our practice we won’t keep their attention. If

“I found it dehumanizing that there’s some segment of white America that still see us as N’s no matter how much money we make, no matter where we live. So to me, it was a wake up call that the good ol' boy network still exists.” This was the comment from Jerrick Jackson, a Black patron at J. Alexander’s in Bloomfield, Michigan who claims he was discriminated against in the restaurant. He also says that he was called the n-word and had food thrown at him when he came to the aid of another black patron who was also confronting apparent discrimination at the same time in a separate incident. Mr. Jackson says this experience was for him, a ‘wake up call.’ In 2019, if we are still asleep to the challenges of equity and justice than we have a much deeper problem than the one he had in the restaurant. Read more in my blog: https://nurahmuhammad.com/blog/managing-expectations-in-400-years-of-domestic-violence If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@Nu

Yosef Ben Asiel is the host of the ‘Know Thy Self Radio' podcast and is this week’s guest on Nurah Speaks. Yosef, who hails from Chicago, has an interesting background. His late mother was a student and follower of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and his father is Prince Asiel Ben Israel, the International Ambassador of the Hebrew Israelites. His exposure to both the Hebrew Israelites and the Nation of Islam - plus the moral and spiritual contributions of both parents - has uniquely positioned him to challenge the social conditions impacting young blacks in this nation and abroad. Yosef has made it his personal mission to use the knowledge and talents he’s gained to uplift his community. His podcast 'Know Thy Self Radio' is based on the teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Inspired by his late mentor Munir Muhammad and the Coalition for Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad (CROE), he dedicates the podcast to be an extension of the Munir Muhammad Show, to combat lies and deception which have been

This week’s episode of Nurah Speaks is a special tribute replay in honor of the recently departed Munir Muhammad. Brother Munir was the business manager and co-founder of CROE (Coalition for the Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad). He is also known to be the chief archivist and historian of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. This interview was recorded on December 9, 2017 during a film showing of the movie ‘The Nation’, written and directed by Junie Smith. In this interview Brother Munir explains: •how Elijah Muhammad impacted him personally •why time dictated the establishment of CROE •why Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam is misunderstood by many I feel it is important to note the significant impact of the work of Brother Munir. He was a man who single handedly performed the work of many men. He was an archivist, a journalist, an investigative reporter, a facilitator, a radio host, a television host, a leading media figure, a husband, a father, a successful businessman and so m

In order for us to prevent child abuse, we must recognize the antecedents and take proactive measures to protect our children. This episode shares seven proactive measures we can take to safeguard our children and guard the wellbeing of our communities. 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!

This episode is the conclusion of my conversation with Denise Poole, Founder and CEO of Heart 2 Heart Services. If you did not listen to the first part of our conversation, I advise you to go back and listen to episode 79. Be advised that this conversation may be triggering for some. Heart 2 Heart is a nonprofit agency providing education on Sex Trafficking in the United States as well as outreach and support services for survivors. Learn more about Heart 2 Heart Services by visiting https://www.heart2heartservices.net/ and follow Heart 2 Heart Services on social media: https://www.facebook.com/heart2heartservices/, https://www.instagram.com/heart2heartservices You can contact Heart 2 Heart Services by email heart2heartsvcs@gmail.com or calling (856) 352-5424. If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call now: National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888 If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to info@NurahSpeaks.com

Denise R. Poole is an International Speaker, Author, Therapist, Workshop Presenter, and Founder/CEO of Heart 2 Heart Services, Inc. With experiences that span more than twenty years, Denise is considered an expert in the field of social services and child and youth development. Denise established Heart 2 Heart Services, Inc. with a mission to educate and provide outreach to services linked with providing a safe home for youth who are victims of human trafficking. (scroll down for Denise’s full bio) Did you know that New Jersey ranks as the 13th state in the nation with calls regarding child sex trafficking? Did you know that sex trafficking was the 2nd largest criminal enterprise in the nation? Denise shares these stats and other important information in this episode of the Nurah Speaks that most of us do not know about Sex Trafficking in the United States. •••Disclaimer this episode may be triggering for some!). This episode is Part I of II. Learn more about Heart 2 Heart Services by visiting htt

Knowledge affords the knowledgeable the ability to solve problems, breach barriers, overcome resistance and make progress. Many can testify that in our individual lives as well as collectively, we are not as progressive as we should be. In the 156 years post the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, we are still asking government for equality and justice. Yet we have more educational attainments than ever in our history in America. What then has our education rendered if we are unprogressive and absent of universal rights? I think of the scripture’s teaching, “The truth will set you free!” If we are not enjoying the benefits of progress and true freedom, we must re-examine our application of knowledge or the veracity of the education itself! 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 Nura

This episode concludes my series of conversations about the role Black women - in particular - have in impacting our community. This episode touches on the impact that we have in shaping the strength and the weaknesses in our boys and men. It is not always easy to do a critical self examination and identify those areas in which we have not supported our boys and men as they need. I salute the sisters who do so and perform this audit on an ongoing basis. We have to challenge ourselves to be 'woman enough' to course correct when it is required for the improvement of our families and communities. If you have not listened to the preceding episodes in the series (Ep 74 and 75) I urge you to do so. Please let me know what you think about this conversation. 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

In too many urban areas across this country, un-informed leadership have taken to patterning themselves after a certain beggar named Lazarus who laid at the gate of the rich man desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. These leaders amplify the role of corporations and politicians to reduce crime rates and gun deaths in our communities while diminishing the role of the actual community. They scapegoat by creating a ‘bogeyman mythology’ laying fault at the politically or economically elite and deflect accountability from where it should fall first and that is in our homes. Parents, uncles, aunts, grandparents, coaches, counselors, mentors and preachers should be scrutinized first, even ahead of law enforcement. It is putting ourselves in a subordinate role to suggest that companies and politicians are responsible ahead of families in creating safe communities. This is a childish, immature and embarrassing assertion and shows a lack of accountability and true leadership. W

There are consequences for children and communities when children are born to fractured homes. The discussion in this episode shares some of those consequences and the considerations we need to create better outcomes for our families and communities. This is episode is part 2 in a short series of conversations especially for Black women to help us realize the impact we have in shaping our communities. Because a Nation will rise no higher than its woman, it is crucial that we value and take seriously our contribution in shaping our people’s future. To read my blog, "Putting Marriage in Motherhood" click this link: https://nurahmuhammad.com/blog/putting-marriage-in-motherhood 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: https://NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link. Follow Nurah Speaks @NurahSpeaksPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To b

Truth hurts but it can also heal if we allow it. This episode is part one in a short series in which I discuss sensitive issues regarding black women. This installment calls on us to be accountable for our choices, particularly those involving reckless sexual behavior resulting in unintended pregnancies…and single parenthood. As I say in this episode, this discussion is shared with love, not judgement. But if we do not take responsibility for poor choices we have made, we may continue making them unaware of how we diminish our own potential to create the future we desire. Take a listen and let me know what you think about this discussion. I am interested in how this conversation resonates for you. You can also read my blog post on this subject here: http://nurahmuhammad.com/blog/victors-or-victims-of-our-own-choices. 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 websit

“Somebody needs to do something!” This is a familiar refrain in response to events and conditions outrageously offensive to the general public. Gun deaths. Educational deficiencies. Youth delinquency. Drug abuse. Gang violence. Unscrupulous police activity. Neglectful parenting. Food insecurity. It is true that 'somebody' needs to do something and that 'somebody' is you! We do not need to look over our shoulders for the answer to come from someone else. WE are the answer that we have been waiting for and needing. The only thing missing is our activation. Well, this episode’s message is intended to be just that, activation. This installment of Nurah Speaks continues the show’s theme of challenging listeners to do their part to tackle issues in their communities and neighborhoods and to Be The Movement! 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: NurahSpea

Cher McCall is this week’s guest on the Nurah Speaks podcast. She is a licensed social worker who works primarily with the adolescent population. Cher has extensive experience serving youth who’ve endured physical, mental, emotional and spiritual trauma. She shares her insights into practical approaches in helping youth manage their pain and fostering hope in what seems to them as a hopeless reality. This episode dives deep into the real mental and emotional labor of social work and the implications for the service recipient and provider. Cher tells the audience how she came to find herself in social work, the rewards of social work and how others can get involved to ‘Be The Movement.’ Cher can be contacted at CherMcCall@gmail.com 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 @NurahSpeaksPod

This was an insightful conversation with Judge Charles Dortch Jr. and the takeaways from this episode are abundant. A key takeaway is the lesson of entitlement embedded in him by his parents. He understood at an early age that he was entitled to be his best and do his best. And the encourages the youth who come before him to do the same. Judge Dortch’s impact on youth and families extends well beyond the courtroom and he has been an extraordinary asset to the Camden County New Jersey community. •••NOTE: This conversation is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult your personal attorney for counsel. ••• To learn more about Camden County Family Courts visit: https://www.njcourts.gov/courts/family/familyvicinage.html#camden. To learn more about the JADI (Juvenile Alternative Detention Initiative)visit: https://www.aecf.org/blog/new-jersey-becomes-first-state-to-implement-jdai-statewide/ To learn more about New Jersey bail reform visit: https://www.northjers

This is Part 2 of my series for ‘National Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day.’ This episode features my other son Qahhar Muhammad. In this episode Qahhar shares thoughts on mentorship and his experiences with the criminalization of childhood that is impacting children and families nationwide. Qahhar is a member of Camden’s New Jersey’s Youth Leadership and Readiness Program, Camden Men’s Wrestling and Track and Field Teams and he is a sophomore at Muhammad’s University of Islam 20. 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!

Since it is ‘National Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work Day’, I have brought my two sons onto the podcast to hear their thoughts on life. This week’s episode, Episode 70, is part one of a two-part series and features my son, Haidar Muhammad. Haidar shares his thoughts on fear, leadership, 'Dad Talks' and being reared in a two parent household plus so much more. He is a member of Camden New Jersey’s Youth Leadership and Readiness Program, Camden Men’s Track and Field Team and a junior at Muhammad’s University of Islam 20. This was definitely an interesting episode having Haidar speak on behalf of his generation and contribute his insights to the Nurah Speaks audience. 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

Jealousy is one of those social cancers that eats at the fabric of our community and the sanity of the individual bearing the jealousy. In this episode I discuss five common components of jealousy and how jealousy is manifest. Be sure to read the accompanying article to this episode which shares those five components in even greater detail by using this link: https://nurahmuhammad.com/blog/jealousy-destroys-from-within Here is an excerpt of that article: “The bearer of jealousy may enjoin all of this-the hatred, the assumptions, the disregard and the campaign-yet without so much as showing an inkling to the person of whom they are jealous. He may appear as the greatest cheerleader all the while masking his contempt and working behind the scenes to sour the opinions of others. Therefore it is incumbent upon anyone who has experienced personal and professional triumphs to continually take inventory of those closest to her. She should pay attention to the sudden or gradual shifts in the attitudes and be

We are fooling ourselves if we think we do not need a strategy to capture the attention of our youth. Corporations and organizations (legitimate and illegitimate)are competing for the minds of our young people. And they are very strategic in their solicitations. There are lessons we can learn from these strategies and this episode explores them and what we risk if we do not recruit our young people. Let me know what you think about this episode. Leave a comment, rating and review and be sure to subscribe on your streaming app. To read my blog on this subject, use the following link: https://nurahmuhammad.com/blog/recruiting-our-youth. 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 and 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, e

In an instant broadcasters, social media influencers and entertainers can define our attitudes and perspectives on trending issues. We can often find ourselves immersed in the overwhelming and repetitive coverage of trending topics while matters much closer to home are left ignored. This episode is a reminder to stay vigilant; stay woke! We had better because while we are swept up in the distracting whirlwind of national issues fed to us in broadcasts and social media, our attentions remain diverted from actual issues that we can and should change to improve our daily lives and our communities. Read my blog on this issue with links to articles that deserve our attention. 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 and reading her blog by clicking this link. Follow Nurah Speaks @NurahSpeaksPodcast on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To bring Nurah as