Business Spotlight Interview with Sherrie Muhammad Owner of Asiatic Minds Online School

By God's grace, I was blessed with the opportunity to interview the owner of Asiatic Minds Online School, Sherrie Muhammad. She shared with me the inspiration, history, mission, and purpose of her school. Also, discussed in the interview was how Asiatic Minds is a full curriculum online school that starts at 3rd grade and goes through 12th grade, and they have produced graduates that have all gone on to college and have made an impact in their communities.

Nadine Muhammad: Please, would you tell our readers about yourself?

 

Sherrie Muhammad:  My name is Sherrie Muhammad and I have 5 beautiful children, a son-in-love, a soon to be daughter-in-love and a brilliant granddaughter. I was married to a wonderful man for 28 years, Bro. Damon Muhammad who transitioned  about 2 and a half years ago. I am a graduate from the University of Louisville with a degree in Communications and I have been a member of the Nation of Islam for over 30 years. My being in the Nation led me to my purpose in life which is to use all of what Allah has put in me to serve others via Education, Asiatic Minds.

Nadine Muhammad: Share with us the story behind Asiatic Minds Online School: the inspiration for starting ,history, mission, and  purpose.

 

 
Sherrie Muhammad: Asiatic Minds online was an idea that came up in my mind well over 15 years ago. I was a mom and desired for my children to attend a Muhammad University of Islam. Being that we were in a small city, we did not have that access, so my husband and I decided that I would stay home and school our children. Once the thought about the online school arose I tried unsuccessfully to pass it along. It wasn’t until years later that after converting my basement into a school and having a few students Covid hit and took us online. The initial online version fizzled out quickly. I felt defeated and started to change direction. I talked with one of my big sisters who gave me encouraging words. The next morning after prayer, Allah bought back to my mind the original thought of the online school. I knew at that moment that that idea was for me to bring to life. An online school for all the children who, like mine, did not have a brick and mortar MUI option. From that point I never looked back. With prayer, faith and determination I went to work! Allah bought about the right people to develop the amazing staff that made up Asiatic Minds. And the families who needed this school came forth. So, by the grace and mercy of Allah we were able to produce a high quality, Islamic based school with a challenging curriculum whose goal was and is to help our children develop their God given skills, gifts and talents to use them for the benefit of themselves, their families, their people and all of humanity. We at Asiatic Minds do not take it lightly that we take part in helping our youth along their path to godhood as we too are on that same path.

Nadine Muhammad: Tell us about the services that you offer to customers of Asiatic Minds Online School.

 

 
Sherrie Muhammad:  Asiatic Minds is a full curriculum online school that starts at 3rd grade and goes through 12th grade. We have produced graduates that have all gone on to college and have made impacts in their communities. We believe in a well rounded education so in addition to offering Islamic Studies, Math, Language Arts, Science and Social Studies. We also have Spanish class and Meditation. Other classes we have had in the past and some we currently have are Agriculture, Chess, Art, Coding, Book Club, Life Skills, Photography, Cooking and Family Lore. We have a monthly guest speaker series call “From the Heart”, where we invite speakers to come and share with the student body what Allah puts on their heart. We have had an array of beautiful speakers including: Stu. Min. Ishmael Muhammad, Stu. Min. Nuri Muhammad, Stu. Min. Kenya Muhammad, Sis. Maryam K. Muhammad, Grand Master Abdul Azziz and Sis. Terri Muhammad comes quarterly to discuss mental health with our students. In addition to the above, Asiatic Minds conducts enrichment workshops once or twice a school year. These are classes that takes place once a week for 4-5 weeks where our students are exposed to different skills. In the past we have had workshops that focused on architecture, filmmaking and songwriting to name a few. Asiatic Minds also has a Student Government where our students gain and practice leadership skills. Our student body has also enjoyed afterschool clubs in the past. We also take virtual field trips! At the end of each year we come together in person for our End of the Year Celebration. There we have awards, our graduation and amazing food and fun. Words truly cannot convey the beauty of seeing our students, who have seen each other (virtually) all year, embrace one another as well as their teachers.

Nadine Muhammad: How can we enroll our children online?  Also, share with us the value that parents and students will obtain from using your educational services.

 

 
Sherrie Muhammad: The value that students and parents receive from attending Asiatic Minds is immeasurable. Not only are our students prepared for their next steps in life, they gain lifelong friendships and support. They grow as believers and they develop the tools to help them navigate their lives mentally and spiritually. Parents gain peace of mind in knowing that their children are among family who love, care for and respect them. Parents also gain education partners because our program is a three-pronged approach where the school, parent and student all work together for the success of the student.