An Author Spotlight Interview with Cherelle Muhammad, Daughter of Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad
Photo Credit: Cherelle Muhammad/Savannah Tribune
Reading Time: 15 Minutes
It is an immense honor and a blessing from Allah (God) to present this author spotlight interview with Sister Cherelle, the daughter of Minister Doctor Ava Muhammad. Sister Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad was the National Spokesperson for The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam as well as a member of the Nation of Islam's Executive Council. In this heartwarming and inspiring interview, Sister Cherelle shared how her mother's work represents decades of faith, leadership, education, and service. She shared with me that her hope is that people who knew her mother will be able to reconnect with her words, while a new generation will have the opportunity to discover her for the first time. Finally, Sister Cherelle emphasized her commitment to ensuring her mother's books, teachings, and message remain accessible to the people who need them.
Dr. Nadine Muhammad: Please, would you tell our readers about yourself?
Cherelle Muhammad: As-Salaam Alaikum. My name is Sister Cherelle Clemons/ Muhammad, and I am the daughter of Student Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad. I am a Howard University graduate with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminology, but one of the greatest roles Allah (God) blessed me with was being my mother’s daughter.
My mother was not only a phenomenal woman of faith and leadership, she was also my teacher, my example, and one of the greatest influences on the woman I am today. Since her transition, I have felt an even greater responsibility to preserve, protect, and continue the work she dedicated her life to.
Photo Credit: The Final Call
Today, I am committed to making sure her books, teachings, and message remain accessible to the people who need them. This work is deeply personal for me because I am not simply preserving books, I am preserving a legacy.
Photo Credit: The Final Call
Dr. Nadine Muhammad: Would you please share with us the motivation for your mother’s book projects, Naturally Beautiful and Weapons of Self Destruction?
Cherelle Muhammad: My mother was deeply concerned with the condition of our people, particularly our young people, and she understood that transformation begins with how we see ourselves.
Naturally Beautiful came from her desire to challenge the ideas that teach Black women and girls that their natural appearance is somehow insufficient. My mother wanted women to understand their beauty, value, dignity, and identity from a place of knowledge rather than from society’s standards.
Weapons of Self Destruction addresses another dimension of that same struggle. My mother understood that some of the greatest obstacles facing us can come from within our own communities and, at times, within ourselves. She wanted people to examine destructive behaviors, thinking patterns, and choices that prevent us from reaching our full potential.
Dr. Nadine Muhammad: Tell us the details of what these two books are about.
Cherelle Muhammad: These books reflect her larger mission, helping people develop a stronger understanding of themselves so they can make better choices and build stronger lives and communities.
What makes these books especially meaningful today is that the subjects my mother addressed remain relevant. The world has changed tremendously, but many of the struggles surrounding identity, self-worth, destructive behavior, and self-determination are still very real.
Dr. Nadine Muhammad: What are the benefits that readers will obtain from reading Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad’s books, and how will their lives be transformed?
Cherelle Muhammad: I believe the greatest benefit is that my mother’s books encourage people to think.
She did not write simply to entertain people. She wanted readers to examine themselves, question what they had been taught, develop greater self-awareness, and take responsibility for the direction of their lives.
Her books can serve as tools for reflection, education, and personal development. A reader may view themselves differently after reading Naturally Beautiful. Another reader may recognize a destructive pattern in their life after reading Weapons of Self Destruction. Someone else may be inspired to take greater responsibility for their family, their community, or their relationship with Allah (God).
Photo Credit: The Final Call
My mother understood that real transformation begins internally. When you change the way you think, you can begin changing the way you live.
That is one of the reasons I believe her work deserves to continue reaching new generations. Her message was not limited to the time in which she lived. There are lessons in her writing that can still challenge, encourage, and inspire readers today.
Dr. Nadine Muhammad: Please tell us how we can get copies of all of Minister Dr. Ava Muhammad’s book titles that were not mentioned above, her social media handles, and the website where we can learn more about her life of faith, leadership, and legacy.
Cherelle Muhammad: Readers can visit ministeravamuhammad.com
Her work represents decades of faith, leadership, education, and service. My hope is that people who knew my mother will be able to reconnect with her words, while a new generation will have the opportunity to discover her for the first time. For me, this is more than a book project. It is about making sure that the wisdom she spent her life sharing does not disappear with her transition. My mother left behind much more than books. She left behind a message, a standard, and a body of work that I pray will continue to benefit people for generations to come.
May Allah (God) be pleased with her and continue to allow the work she left behind to be a source of benefit.
Dr. Nadine Muhammad: Yes, ma'am. May Allah be pleased with her! Thank you, Sister Cherelle! It was indeed an honor and a blessing from God that he allowed us to connect for this enlightening interview. May God continue to bless and guide you as you make your mother's books, teachings, and message remain accessible to those of us who need them. To our subscribers, thank you for reading our interview, and please don't forget to show your support by visiting ministeravamuhammad.com to order copies of her books.
Tip: Learn how to self-publish a book on Amazon in Dr. Nadine's blog with this link below:
Dr. Nadine Muhammad is a Doctor of Business Administration. Also she holds a Master of Science in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. She is the owner of an online bookstore, Nation's Products, and NLM Economic Development Services. For a consultation with business plan writing or developing an economic development strategic plan for your community, send an email to nlmeconomicdevelopmentservices@gmail.com
As-Salaam Alaikum,
I remember years ago Ebony magazine had survey questions for the readers. One question, was name two people or two Black 🖤 women you would want to meet? I picked Maxine Waters and Dr. Ava Muhammad.
Walaikum Salaam, Shukran
APDA, such a heart warming interview.
May Allah continue to bless Sister Cherelle and the family. I will be ordering at a later date.once again thank you my niece.