Do not mistake correction for condemnation, they are not the same. To receive correction is to receive guidance when we have erred. We need not assume any judgement has been made upon us.

Too many of us are uncomfortable, agitated and distrustful when receiving counsel that does not align with our attitudes, beliefs or behaviors. I have personal experience with working youth and some adults who perceive instruction as aggression and correction as an attack

One remedy to this is rearing our children to respect authority and habituating them to training and coaching in their youth. Those who have not are easily identified by employers, teachers, mentors and coaches.  They are often the most difficult to train and the least receptive to guidance.  

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link.

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Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

A New Jersey school principal told her faculty that pajamas, do-rags and bonnets are ‘their culture’, referring to the school's black pupils. If this would upset us, what argument do we have with Mo’nique?

She is giving no less than what I received growing up from the women responsible for shaping and cultivating me into womanhood. The rearing, training and chiding (when needed) that I received in my youth conditioned me to appreciate mentorship and guidance as an adult.

It is simple. We need to do better and stop hating the person giving the correction. We may want to ‘do as we please’ but if what we please defies decency and etiquette then we ought to be challenged.

We should want more for ourselves than forcing society to accept our regressed attitudes and behaviors. This is not our culture. It is emblematic of our fall from grace and our own self regard.

These words can be tough to hear for women who are so encouraged to ‘live your life’ and ‘do what makes you happy’. We are being misguided and are misguiding our young folks with this ‘do you’ lifestyle.

I am interested in your feedback. Be sure to email me Nurah@NurahSpeaks or drop me a comment on social media.

Remember to subscribe to Nurah Speaks wherever you stream great podcasts.

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

Juneteenth, also known as ‘Freedom Day’, ‘Emancipation Day’ and ‘Liberation Day’ is the day that marks the enforcement of the freedom of slaves in Galveston, Texas.

It was on June 19, 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger enforced the freedom of slaves still held in bondage despite the January 1, 1863 signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the congressional passing of the 13th Amendment on January 31, 1865.

On June 16, 2021 Congress passed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday and President Joe Biden signed it into law on June 17, 2021.

This episode is a recording of remarks I gave at a Juneteenth event June 19, 2021, an event facilitated by the Black & Brilliant Events Team in Glassboro, New Jersey.  My subject is ‘Priority’. What are our priorities in this day and how do we address them?

Be sure to share your thoughts and comments on this episode. Remember to subscribe to Nurah Speaks and share it with family and friends.

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

Nurah Speaks is back with another fresh episode, this time talking about the ‘I Got It’ mentality? 

Don’t know what that is?

It is the compulsion of us Black women to reflexively say, “I got it” when offered assistance or support. 

We say, “I got it” sometimes without even assessing if help is warranted for the given circumstances. Some of us are so in the habit of not needing anyone that we turn away aid when we could actually use it. 

This episode examines why we do that and the implications of this behavior.

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

Nurah Speaks is a catalyst for change. It is a conversation piece, an information center, inspiration, guidance and love in words. Nurah Speaks listeners are informed, conscientious and committed community members on the front lines of change.

I am grateful for all of the listeners and subscribers of the podcast and especially to those who have commented, rated the show, sent emails, provided critical feedback, contacted me on social media and those who have pulled me aside to share their thoughts on the show.

I am thankful that the podcast is meeting its intended goal of tugging on the soul and consciousness of our people. There is so much work that needs to be done and ‘if we each do a little, no one has to do a lot.’ Those were the words spoken by Judge Charles Dortch, a guest on the show.  I have had the honor of featuring the great Judge Dortch and so many other wonderful folks doing incredible work in their communities. I urge you to listen or ‘re-listen’ to the those interviews because there is so much we can learn from the experiences and journeys of others.

I encourage you to keep doing the great work that you are within your community. Continue to be informed and encouraged with the Nurah Speaks podcast and let the show contribute to your work in any way you see fit. If I could be of assistance in any way please do not hesitate to contact me.

Nurah Speaks is for all of us. Should there be any topics or issues you would like to hear about or guests you would like to hear from, let me know.

I pray that the Most High continues to bless each of us.

Keep giving. Keep striving. Keep leading with love and we will not exhaust the good that we have to give. I appreciate you all!

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

It is with pleasure that I welcome Mandene Muhammad to the Nurah Speaks audience. Brother Mandene is the founder of Legacy Men’s Boutique, a store providing high end men's clothing and accessories at affordable prices located in the heart of Bronzeville Chicago.

Additionally he is a member of the Coalition for Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad (CROE) and a producer at CROETV studios. He also hosts a weekly radio show ‘Elevated Talk’ on the historic WVON ‘Talk of Chicago’ every Tuesday evening.

Brother Mandene and I discuss many subjects in this episode including his journey from behind the camera and working off stage to now sitting before the microphone hosting his own weekly radio show and being center stage in his business. He speaks to the need of abandoning one’s comfort zone for the sake of personal and professional growth.

This was a conversation long time in the making and I appreciate Brother Mandene for joining me in this episode. His efforts in providing quality media and his acts of service via his boutique are triumphs that must be celebrated and emulated for the good of our people.  I hope that after listening to this episode you come away with inspiration and motivation to find your place in the 'work' to improve the condition of our people.

(Please note, this interview was published after the annual Founder's Day fundraiser mentioned in the show.  However, you can still make your donation to this great organization by visiting CROE.ORG.)

If you are in the Chicago area, visit Legacy Men’s Boutique located at 107 E. 47th Street Chicago, IL 60653 or call (872) 228-1871.

Visit online at LegacyMensBoutique.com and follow Legacy Men’s Boutique on Facebook and Instagram!

Listen to ‘Elevated Talk’ every Tuesday @10pm EST on WVON streaming on IHeartRadio.

Continue to support CROE.ORG and follow CROETV on Facebook.

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Episode 156 challenges our unhealthy tie to dysfunction and deprivation within our community. We have accepted these unfortunate conditions within our community as norms and we ingrain these in our children and the cycle continues.

We have to confront these unhealthy norms and challenge our thoughts and behaviors if we want better for our coming generations.

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

We are wrapping up Women’s History Month with this week’s guest Wendy Tabor. Wendy is the President of the Tri County section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW). She’s also a Registered Nurse, Entrepreneur, a dedicated community servant and an overall beautiful soul.

Wendy and I touched on a variety of topics in this interview including:

The NCNW was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune and for more than fifty years, Dr. Dorothy Height served as president. Currently Johnnetta Betsch Cole serves as the elected chair.

This was a great conversation with a woman who is passionate about service.

If you would like to get involved or lend your support, you can contact Wendy by email: [email protected].

Follow the NCNW Tri County chapter @NCNWTriCounty on Facebook  and Instagram.

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

A boss says, “Go.” A leader says, “Let’s go!”

There are important delineations between a leader, someone in charge, and a boss, someone who is also in charge. The delineations lie in the perspective they have of their role, how they operate within their authority or power, how they relate to their members/employees and how they take responsibility for the outcomes of the operation.

In episode 154, I share key differences between bosses and leaders and important ways those in authority can help and support the team members that they lead.

Here are some examples:  

A boss takes credit.  A leader gives credit.  

A boss commands.  A leader influences.  

Bosses hold others accountable.  Leaders hold themselves accountable.  

Remember, every boss is not a leader and every leader is not a boss.  Take a listen to this episode and let it inform how we engage with those with whom we work - whether on the job, in a civic organization, a family or your church or temple.

Let me know what you think of this episode by sending an email or posting a comment on the podcast's social media pages. 

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!

Earlier this month a mother reported her 13 year old son was severely bullied and forced to drink urine at a school mate's sleepover. It is alleged that a video of the incident was circulated among his classmates. The story is unbelievably horrific and difficult to read. The trauma this child experienced and the anguish of his mother is unimaginable.

Bullying and cruelty among children is not uncommon. We must take steps to protect our children from the sort of abuse that becomes nightmares. The greatest control that we have is in the protection we provide within our own homes.

Sleepovers are fun, exciting and a great way for children to bond. They are also means for perpetrators (other children or adults) to victimize children. 

I encourage parents and guardians to think very carefully before allowing their children to spend the night outside their homes. A link to the story follows with links to other incidents of abuse at sleepovers. Please be advised, the content in some of these links may be triggering to some. Please advance accordingly.

https://theblacknewsreport.com/2021/03/07/texas-police-investigating-after-mom-alleges-13-year-old-son-was-attacked-with-bb-gun-forced-to-drink-urine-from-a-cup-by-white-peers-at-a-sleepover/

Other stories:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9357477/Mom-sexually-assaulted-daughters-friends-sleepovers-gave-alcohol-pot-gummies.html

https://whyy.org/articles/rethinking-sleepovers-in-the-face-of-sexual-abuse/

https://dreamindemon.com/community/threads/dad-sexually-abused-daughter%E2%80%99s-friends-during-sleepover-at-his-house.116715/

If you would like to engage with the Nurah Speaks podcast, submit your listener questions to [email protected].  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 [email protected].

Remember, don’t just Join the Movement, Be the Movement!