Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony S. Muhammad.
Hi Ebony, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I officially launched MONARCH in November of 2019 as a way to raise my Saviours’ Day Gift for 2020. Every year members of the Nation Of Islam, their families and supporters come together to raise the Annual Saviours’ Day Gift, a token of love and gratitude for the several decades of service and dedication of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, The National Representative of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, did not want those donating to come out of their pockets, but asked that they raise the gift. This was so that there would be no hardship in giving towards The Saviours’ Day Gift.
Although I’ve donated for over 15 years, I decided to feature a variety of talents and gifts I had never showcased before.
MONARCH consists of 4 Phases: I) Leather Wallets, II) Tech Cases (wearable technology) + Clutches III) Luxury Self-Care Candles (Clean burning, vegetable based ingredients and soothing scents), and IV) A Selection of Specialty Coffee Brands.
With the exception of Phase IV, I personally handcraft each and every item.
I wanted to feature all of these beautiful gifts at once, however, I knew that pacing myself and releasing each product line in phases would be a smart move. It would also create an ongoing effort with raising my Saviours’ Day Gift beyond 2020.
I’m discovering the incredibly unique gifts that Allah (God) has deposited within me. I never imagined that this level of design and creativity was present. It’s deeply humbling. Ideas come to me, spontaneously. I could be reading or working on something else and the inspiration for a product or design comes through, and I follow it. It’s an emotional and spiritual experience that quite honestly overwhelms me. I’m just grateful, utterly grateful.
Not only was I blessed to meet my 2020 and 2021 Saviours’ Day Gift goals, I exceeded them! All praise is due to Allah!
It has only been by the Teachings of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad given to Him by Master Fard Muhammad, the Guidance of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Divine Class of the MGT-GCC (Muslim Girls’ Training and General Civilization Class) that I could tap into these creative talents and skills. Our How To Sew classes have awakened a part of my spirit that was dormant, but obviously quite ready for activation
MONARCH continues to donate a portion of its proceeds towards the Saviours’ Day Gift year-round as it is now a permanent pillar of the brand.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although it was not my first time launching a brand, it was my first product-based brand. My other businesses have been and are service-based. So the aspect of inventory management, shipping and handling, sourcing materials and supplies were definitely new learning curve.
I had some experience as a child helping my mother with her ceramic business and going to various craft shows and markets. I watched her handcraft every single sculpture, from start to finish. I remember putting the price stickers on each sculpture and on some of the shelves.
This was the only thing I had to pull from, which helped in some respect that I was familiar with the process, yet, I struggled with choosing products to feature. That’s what I struggled with the most. Each Phase featured a variety of products, and I had so many ideas fluttering about in my mind. I wanted to do all of them, but I quickly recognized the need for narrowing them down. This is why I chose to do Phases. It was my way of doing it all, but not at the same time. I still struggle with that lol
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Along with MONARCH, I also have an online magazine, Hurt2Healing Magazine. It is the beautiful by-product of a march and rally against domestic violence and sexual assault that took place in 2007 during the ESSENCE Festival when it was here in Houston. The Founders Abdul Qiyam Muhammad and Deric Muhammad invited me to join the event planning committee during which I had the opportunity to coordinate the speakers and the flow of the event.
It was an event hosted by men for women who were in pain, who had suffered abuse and needed a safe space and support system to begin healing. The event, From Hurt to Healing: Protecting The Essence of Our Sisters, was life-changing and I didn’t want it to just be a one day moment.
I was already studying to get my certification in Thanatology, the study of death, dying and loss. I had clients who were suffering from abuse and I believed Hurt2Healing could provide a space that was non-invasive and therapeutic for those in need of real inspiration and real stories of healing. So I pitched the idea to both Founders and they loved it.
To date, we’ve featured countless stories of both men and women who have survived domestic violence, sexual assault, substance abuse, losing a loved one and other life-altering trials to provide both sides – the hurt that it caused but more importantly the healing aspect that provides the reader with hope and a roadmap to what their life can be.
Hurt2Healing Magazine is what I am most known for.
Also, I am a web designer and brand strategist. My company MODIC Design was born from my consistent work online due to having a digital magazine and my love for learning new things and evolving. I discovered I was really good at designing websites, the infrastructure as well as the amazing design.
Before I launched MODIC Design, I only designed behind the scenes for clients, until a few of them urged me to go public and offer my services to a larger audience.
I’m most proud of my continuous growth and desire to learn and try new things. I will not stay in a comfort zone or box. I am super adventurous and will take calculated risks to see what is within me that I have yet to discover.
I think that’s what also sets me apart from others. It’s traditional to be known for or be in one particular industry. However, I’ve given myself permission to experience more industries and interests than I can count. I have a Masters in Forensic Psychology, and worked extensively in that field. As a Forensic Psychologist, I had the honor of working alongside my father who is a Criminal Defense Attorney. I have a Certification in Thanatology to help those who are grieving a loss, of any kind. I have a license as a Medical and Sports Massage Therapist and have worked with professional sports leagues. I’ve launched multiple brands that are totally unrelated to each other, but it all bear witness to how multi-faceted I am and am willing to be.
I go against what is considered traditional and safe, to explore every corner of my capabilities. That takes a certain level of courage and faith and willingness to be uncomfortable that a lot of people aren’t ready to venture into. I love to learn, study, grow and lend my skills and knowledge to serve others – to help others. To be a vessel and someone’s answered prayer is why I believe we are here.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
As a child I had aspirations of becoming an archeologist and visiting dig-sites like the ones we see on Indiana Jones. Those movies were my favorite growing up. I was such as Tomboy, so being in the dirt and digging things up was joy!
I would get an old shoe box and find toys, cards or items significant for that time and put them in the box and make my own time capsule. I went into our backyard and dug up a hole to put the box in and waited a “really long time” and go back to dig it up as if to “discover” artifacts from an ancient civilization. I was super excited and gave all the dramatics of a discovery lol
Although I wasn’t the only child, I was the youngest by so many years that I kind of grew up like an only child, so I learned how to keep myself entertained.
It’s likely where I got my love for adventure, mining out as many gifts and talents within myself that had yet to be discovered.
Contact Info:
- Email: monarch@ebonysafiyyah.com
- Website: ebonysafiyyah.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/monarchebonysafiyyah
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/monarchebonysafiyyah
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/EbonySafiyyah
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKiCDFy5Y95OLWtDbJd-aRA
- Other: https://hurt2healingmag.com
Image Credits
My personal photo in black/the Denim Clutch/the Leather Keychain: J. Karriem Photography All other photos by: MONARCH | EBONY SAFIYYAH
