TINLEY PARK, Illinois—The National Training Conference (NTC) celebrated its 30th year with a weekend filled with powerful and impactful workshops, including those focused on youth. This year’s conference was held July 24-27, at the Tinley Park Convention Center located in Tinley Park, Illinois, located 30 miles south of Chicago.
During the youth-centered workshops, attendees learned valuable information that was tailored toward them.
Sister Danielle X, from Dallas, conducted the first responders’ workshop for youth aged 8-12. Participants learned the proper way of escaping a house fire, how to wrap a wound, and how to effectively communicate with 911 dispatchers. She also emphasized the importance of teaching children to be aware of their surroundings and to follow instructions, regardless of their age.
“Every 3 minutes in Texas, an abduction occurs. Know where your child is, including teenagers, and it’s imperative to know who the individuals are that your children are spending time with,” she said.
Another integral workshop conducted was “Mental Mindfulness,” led by Sis. Jasmyne Muhammad, a Chicago-based schoolteacher. This workshop allowed the young participants to focus directly on their emotional well-being by giving attention to how they feel and how they felt about themselves in that moment.
“I have been a Chicago public school teacher for over 20 years, and I teach sixth and seventh grades. During the workshop, I had the children go over different scenarios dealing with frustration, in order for them to recognize when they are becoming frustrated and how to properly handle frustration. I also introduced the concept of deep breathing that can be utilized when we become frustrated or stressed,” she told The Final Call.
Equally important in keeping safe during an emergency, communicating with first responders, and maintaining emotional control. Also, what to eat and how to prepare food during a crisis. The “How to Eat to Live” workshop demonstrated perfectly to the young participants on both.
Sister Gabrielle X from Chicago led a hands-on demonstration, educating the eager participants on the importance of choosing healthy food options that do not require cooking during a disaster, especially one where electricity goes out. She emphasized to attendees the importance of prioritizing needs over our wants when it comes to nutrition during a disaster.
During the weekend, workshops were also organized and led by teenagers and young adults that were just as impactful and engaging.
The workshop “Addressing the Drama of Trauma: Recognition, Treatment, and Recovery,” was hosted by Sister Madinah Muhammad and Bro. Zion X of Chicago. Presenters included Sis. Sajdah Wendy Muhammad, a businesswoman and entrepreneur, Sis. Uneq’ka McNeal, Sis. Patricia Muhammad, and Bro. Abdullah Hassan.
Sis. Uneq’ka is a psychologist and visual artist. She explained the impact of trauma. “Trauma can affect our brain chemistry, whereas trauma can manifest itself as a physical ailment. When trauma shows up in the body physically, that can be a sign that there is emotional trauma that needs to be released.”
The National Training Conference youth coordinators and facilitators, including Sis. Lisa R. Muhammad and Sis. Gabrielle X, worked hard throughout the weekend to ensure young people enjoyed their experiences and learned valuable information.
Patricia Muhammad, a firefighter/paramedic, stated, “Overworking can be a sign of trauma and also the state of our immediate environment is a reflection of our state of mind.”
Another workshop included “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers, Serving Humanity: The Impact of the NOI/Divine 9 Relationship,” moderated by Sis. Lisa R. Muhammad. Presenters included Student Regional M.G.T. Captain Nusaybah Muhammad, Sis. Audrey Muhammad, Sis. Tamiko G. Muhammad, Bro. Malik Inkatha, and Bro. Zion X.
The Black Greek Letter Organizations of sororities and fraternities is commonly referred to as the Divine Nine or Divine 9.
There are members of the Nation of Islam who are also members of fraternities and sororities.
Over the years, members of the Divine 9 and members of the Nation of Islam have found commonalities when it comes to engaging in community service in their communities.
Bro. Malik Inkatha is an F.O.I. (Fruit of Islam, the men of the Nation of Islam) from Chicago. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. “What was happening when a lot of these Black and lettered organizations were founded?
W.E.B. DuBois (also an Alpha) had the concept of The Talented Tenth, a group of our people who would go to college and get a higher education and they would get leadership skills, and they would bring the education and skills back to the community.
That was the idea of a lot of the founders of the Black and lettered organizations, and the idea of service is all throughout these organizations,” said Bro. Malik.
“When we look at the work that we as members of the Nation of Islam are called to do, that work has to be done in the streets, that work has to be done in the schools … . Allah (God) wants all of our people,” he said.
Young people from around the country had the opportunity to participate in the various workshops and received training on physical and spiritual levels. Other workshops included one focused on arts and culture and one titled, “A Nation of Builders: What We Must Learn and Be Able to Do!” and many more.
Bro. West Muhammad, 15, traveled to the conference from Baltimore. “I appreciate how mental health struggles and communication among the youth were highlighted and learning how to properly communicate and how to properly deal with these issues as a people. We are all in the same boat, so we all can extend love and help to one another,” he said.
Sis. Eiliyah Muhammad, 14, from South Carolina, also gained valuable information from the various workshops. “We really have to heal from trauma as a community in order to get to the next level.
I am thankful to Allah (God) to be present at the conference this year, allowing us to come together,” she said.
(Shawntell Muhammad can be contacted at [email protected].)
