Unapologetic & Pure.

Let me share with you all a story about a friend of mine named Nawal Rajeh.

Nawal is the president and director of programs at By Peaceful Means. Through her work as an educator and conflict resolution practitioner, Nawal helps young people ages 5-18 learn how to resolve issues of conflict with nonviolent tactics and through advocacy. Her programs extend to the children after they leave, giving them a chance to learn how to maintain institutions they love and can call their own.

Nawal is Unapologetic & Pure in her drive and that starts with her name. It goes back to her childhood in Youngstown, Ohio. In her words:

“A teacher of mine could not pronounce my name. She said it was too hard and changed it to "Noel". I went by the name Noel for the next several decades of my life. My parents have never called me Noel - it's not what they named me. 12 years ago almost to this day, I took my name back and began introducing myself as Nawal. It rolls off people's tongues in all different ways and I am OK with that because ppl try 🙂

I am grateful for the many friends who adapted and went from calling me Noel to Nawal. And also equally grateful when I'm back in my hometown and an old friend calls me Noel - it reminds me (that) person has been in my life for a long time. I love my birth name. It's a family name as I was named after my dad's sister and it means "gift" in Arabic.”

That sentiment is what the term means. Nawal’s self-preservation and double identity are something with which I can relate (and even released an album about…haha). See, I also write for a magazine that is called Unapologetic & Pure and that is the picture that you see above.

Dubbed “Words to Inspire a Generation” by Editor-In-Chief Jamesia Downer, U&P reflects the qualities of self-preservation and community spirit that are embodied in people like Nawal. Giving a safe space to the youth who are influencing our future allows for growth and mastery. Nawal gave that to me back in 2015 by allowing me the space to mentor the youth of By Peaceful Means and teach an elective in Hip Hop. #trueOGseries lives on thanks to the Friday Phonk collaboration with U&P.

Giving back keeps the cycle going and if there is something to learn from any of this, stay unapologetic & pure in your approach to life.

Back to the grind..!!

Sun