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 [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!

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 [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!

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.

While it may be easy to hold our hands out towards the golden palace, the real and sustainable changes requires families in the community to be accountable and intentional. Change is made when ‘we’ decide we want it.

We have to divest from this Lazarus-type behavior and get up and get it for ourselves! Stop thinking we are so unworthy and incapable that we seek to beg instead of build.

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!

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 [email protected].  Listeners can also learn more about Nurah by visiting her website: https://NurahSpeaks.com or reading her blog by clicking this link.

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

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 [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,

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To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email [email protected]

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

“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 [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,

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To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email [email protected]

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

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 [email protected]

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,

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To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email [email protected]

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

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.northjersey.com/story/opinion/editorials/2019/04/03/editorial-nj-bail-reform-law-continues-show-its-effectiveness/3345843002/

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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To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email [email protected]

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

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 [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,

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To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email [email protected]

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 [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,

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To bring Nurah as a speaker at your next event, email [email protected]

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