Nurah Speaks

Revolutions are defined by the actions we take to produce radical change. In 2020, the Black community is still petitioning for justice, fairness and equity within a country founded on unimaginable crimes committed against humanity. We have marched; we have sat in, we have stood, we have sang, we have boycotted and we have been ignored. In spite of our efforts we remain outside of the gates of jus...

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 famili...

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 yo...

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...

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...

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 fore...

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 th...

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 in...

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...

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...

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 platf...

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 m...

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...

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...

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, gen...

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 in...

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, Aquil...

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...

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 inf...

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 s...

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. Visi...

Yosef Ben Asiel is the force behind ‘Black Royalty Wear’ sports apparel and is this week’s feature in the Nurah Speaks Buy Black series. Black Royalty is a premier athletic clothing line made from cotton and bamboo. Whether you're in the gym or doing daily chores, Black Royalty Wear provides you the most comfortable fit possible. Order yours today! Visit BlackRoyaltyWear.com. Follow Yosef on Insta...

When you find a good thing you run out and tell others right?!? That is why Essential Nutrientz, an all natural hair care line, is next up in my 'Buy Black Series!' Sulaiha Turner, founder of Essential Nutrienz, created this line specially formulated to produce highly moisturized, healthy and beautiful hair. Sulaiha feels that this should be achieved without hormone altering chemicals or synthetic...

Nisha Blackwell, founder of Knotzland is featured first in my Black Business Series. Knotzland produces artisan bowties made from 98.9% reclaimed fabric ad materials. I learned about Nisha and Knotzland from a google commercial detailing Nisha’ journey from unemployed to entrepreneur. Her story is both intriguing and inspiring and demonstrates the sort of possibilities available to us all. Support...

There is no biblical commandment directing us to $PEND-$PEND-$PEND to honor the birth of sweet baby Jesus. However, year after year, the season has become less religious and more commercial. This episode I share tips that will benefit your wallet and your community. So what should we do in this season of spending? For starters, I advise us all to be aware of the clever campaigns retailers use to i...