TINLEY PARK, Ill.—This year’s International Training Conference hosted by The United Schools of Survival once again included powerful and impactful youth-focused workshops. Youth ages 8-12 and 13 and up had tailor-made sessions for their age groups.

“Destination Greatness: Honor the Foundation,” “Carry the Mission-Continue the Legacy,” a NextGen Leaders Division workshop, featured teenagers and young adults who are striving to make a positive impact in their communities through entrepreneurship, community outreach, education, social media content creation, and more. Presenters also included adults who work with and mentor young people.

Co-moderators included Sister Madinah Muhammad and Brother Akbarkhan Muhammad. Panelists included Sister Afrika Porter, Sister Saarah Muhammad, Brother Rashad Muhammad, Sister Tanya Lozano, Sister Sabbath Muhammad, Sister Qaadirah Muhammad.

Brother Leonard Muhammad Jr., Sister Dr. Khalilah T. Muhammad, Sister Fajr Mahdi, Brother Hadi Muhammad, Brother West Muhammad, and Student Minister Ishmael Muhammad, National Assistant to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

Student Minister Ishmael, a son of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, shared a few words, with the young people who gathered. “I was 7-8 years old when I first took interest in the Teachings of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, in terms of the study of the Word.

Allah (God), through the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, put me on the rostrum at Mosque Maryam in Chicago, as an 8-year-old boy. When the Nation of Islam fell, I had no more desire to be a minister.

But when the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan stood up in 1977 to rebuild the Nation of Islam, I still did not have an interest in ministry.”  However, he said Minister Farrakhan continued to nurture him.

“All along, Minister Farrakhan encouraged me and reminded me that is what my father wanted for me,” he continued. Student Min. Ishmael shared some of his experiences as a young person in the Nation of Islam as Minister Farrakhan was working to rebuild it. 

As a teenager, Student Min. Ishmael said he helped in the area of security for the Minister and shared, “I was his driver, I sold the first edition of The Final Call newspaper … we all have been born in the struggle. The Holy Qur’an tells us, ‘struggle is ordained.’”

Youth who attended enjoyed the information presented.

Sister Zakiyah Muhammad, 16, from Atlanta, stated, “I loved this workshop; it was very informative.  Specifically, hearing the struggles of others who were born and raised in the Nation of Islam and are overcoming those struggles.”

Sister Saleena Muhammad,17, from Atlanta, said, “I learned a lot about helping my community, and I have been inspired.”

Another youth workshop included the importance of “doing for self” as taught by the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Titled “From Hustle to Ownership: Don’t Just Earn Money, Learn How to Own What Creates It,” the workshop focused on observing the community’s needs and using our natural gifts to provide for our people, as well as building a legacy.

Co-moderators included Sister Hana Muhammad and Brother Zion X and panelists were Sister Sajdah Wendy Muhammad, Brother Yahya Muhammad, Sister Hasana Muhammad, Sister Kacia Muhammad, Sister Safiyyah Muhammad, and Brother Hadi Muhammad.

Brother Yahya and his wife Sister Nataki are founders and owners of  Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream. They explained that going into business is not just about making money.  “Doing for self is all about being of service,” Brother Yahya told the youth gathered for the workshop.

“I married into ice cream because Allah (God) gave my husband Yahya the gift of being so passionate about ice cream. It is not just about ice cream; it is the serving in our community, and it is being an example,” said Sister Nataki.

Sister Safiyyah is the owner of a catering business and shared her experience. “I have a catering business, I do food preparation services, and I create cooking content on social media. To me, doing for self means fulfilling your purpose and using it to serve your Nation of Islam, and serve your community.”

Sister Sajdah Wendy is a longtime entrepreneur and businesswoman. “Doing for self to me means you find a way to go beyond your intellectual capacity into a space that requires you to rely on Allah (God). 

It is a faith-building exercise, and it is a way you can truly learn to submit to Allah (God) while building something that allows us the protection and the sovereignty to practice and to live the life that we want to live,” she shared.

During the weekend, youth also learned the importance of being alert and of service in their communities as well as the importance of self-defense.

“Be Alert, Stay Alive: When Everything Changes in a Moment, Will You Know Your Next Move?” was a session that introduced real-life scenarios and practical application.   

Demonstrators included Sensei Celeritas Muhammad, Sensei Dwayne Muhammad, and Brother Dr. Abdullah Hassan Pratt; Brother Zuri Muhammad and Brother Khaliq Muhammad.

In this life-saving workshop, attendees learned how to stop a bleed from a gunshot wound, and also when and if it is safe to approach someone wounded. Brother Dr. Abdullah, an emergency medicine and emergency room physician, stressed the importance of properly handling a wound, which can determine whether someone bleeds out. 

Sensei Dwayne, who is the Student Central Regional F.O.I. Captain and Sensei Celeritas demonstrated to participants basic martial arts moves, stances and techniques. 

Sister Lisa R. Muhammad coordinated the various workshops and sessions for the youth component during the weekend with the help of young people in the Nation of Islam.

“The youth division is made up of two primary parts: the youth, which comprises children up to age 8; and NextGen, which comprises ages 9 to young adults. Most of the NextGen members started at very young ages and are now in their early 20s,” she explained.

Sister Madinah, 23, daughter of Sister Lisa, has been actively involved in participating, presenting, and coordinating during the International Training Conference since she was very young. “There was a lot of preparation, and we are very pleased with the turnout.

We had many intellectually heavy workshops. However, we found that our community of young people has been engaged (already) with those conversations and were able to contribute. Our youth have something to contribute and want to contribute,” said Sister Madinah.

Brother Kushmir Muhammad, 19, from Memphis, told The Final Call that he “absolutely loved the workshops” calling them “very productive.”

“I definitely encourage everyone to attend the training conference next year,” he said.