August 12, 2024 • 29 mins
Join me as I chat with Nafees Norris, an inspiring scientist and the CEO and Founder of Nafees Innovations. Nafees shares his journey from being doubted by those around him to leading groundbreaking work with pharmaceutical companies. He is also passionate about increasing youth engagement in the sciences. Website and Social Media:
Quitting smoking is challenging, but there are resources available to help. In this segment, I talk with Ryan Coffman (he/him), MPH, CHES, CTTS-M, who manages the Tobacco Policy and Control Program for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Ryan discusses the PA Free Quitline and other free resources designed to support you on your journey to becoming tobacco-free. Website and Social Media:
Quitting smoking is challenging, but there are resources available to help. In this segment, I talk with Ryan Coffman (he/him), MPH, CHES, CTTS-M, who manages the Tobacco Policy and Control Program for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Ryan discusses the PA Free Quitline and other free resources designed to support you on your journey to becoming tobacco-free. Website and Social Media:
- Website: SmokefreePhilly.org
- Facebook and X: @gethealthyph
- Instagram: @gethealthyphilly
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning. You're listening to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow. Nafie s Norris is impressive.
He's a scientist. He's also CEO and founder of Nofie's Innovations.
I speak to him about his journey from folks telling
him he wouldn't amount to anything, to his work with
major pharmaceutical companies and his efforts to get more kids
(00:22):
involved in sciences. First, we know it's hard to quit smoking,
but there are resources to help you kick the habit.
There is nothing harder to quit, no habit so difficult
and relentlessly hazardous to one's health yet hard to break
than tobacco use. There are some amazing free resources you
can use to tell us more. Ryan Kaufman, who is
(00:43):
Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager for the Philadelphia Department
of Public Health, why is tobacco use so hard to quit? Ryan?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Yeah, it's a great question. Lorraine, A really pleasure to
be here with you. May thanks so much for having me.
Tobacco use disorder, which is a more way of how
we think of tobacco use. It's really built on a
few factors, right, It's behaviorally addictive. You can think of
it that way. Right, Over years of use, it becomes
links to moods, persons, places, things for folks in their
(01:12):
everyday life. Physically, nicotine is extremely addictive. It's engineered to
be addictive on the part of the tobacco industry, and
then there's also a lot of systemic and cultural factors
which can play into it as well. Some folks may,
for instance, reside in communities where there is a greater
amount of tobacco industry marketing that's present in those communities.
(01:33):
So all those factors really come together to create a
substance use disorder, which is really what tobacco use is,
you know, like alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and also a chronic
disease much like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma for instance. And
so it is a very significant substance use disorder in
(01:54):
prinme disease. But recovery, especially with resources and support like
we're talking about here today, can make that process recovery
much easier as well as more successful.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Before we get into what those resources are, I would
like to talk about the state of tobacco use in general.
Tobacco use is down I think a lot of us
are getting the message that is just bad. It's definitely
one way to prevent so many diseases, and yet in
some communities it's still pretty prevalent and maybe even on
the rise. Can you tell us a little more about that.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Yeah, So, nationwide and in Philadelphia, tobacco's rates have been
declining for adults and for youth rates are still significantly higher. However,
again in those same communities that the tobacco industry deliberately
targets with cheaper products, more addictive products, more marketing and advertising.
Some of those communities include LGBTQA plus communities, folks with
(02:46):
behavioral health challenges, low income ration, ethnic minority populations, veteran
populations all use tobacco a much higher rates. And that's
not by cautious choice, right, that's really from a very
aggressive strategy on the part of the industry read to
drive tobacco's rates up higher in those communities. Though, no
matter what community we're here talking about today, again, just
(03:07):
really want to lead to that message that tobacco recovery
is possible, is safe, is achievable, and having help and
support both directly and through friends, families, people that love
you and care about you can make that road to
recovery a more lasting and an easier process.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Well, that's where we want to go now is talking
about the resources that are available and the fact that
you can quit. It is possible, and the technology has
certainly advanced tremendously over these last decades. So tell us
what are those free resources.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
One that we're extremely interested in sharing with you today
with your callers is the Pennsylvania Freequent Line. So this
is a completely free, confidential and non judgmental telephonic tobacco
treatment resource. So any Pennsylvania resident can call this number
and get free pharmacotherapy, nicotine patches, gom lozenges which again
(03:59):
help with that physical addiction we spoke of earlier, as
well as a behavioral treatment plan provided by a highly
trained professional and to work through those cues, triggers and
cravings that folks have for tobaccuus. Available in a variety
of languages, even have text messaging options and as available
nearly twenty four hours a day, So this could be
for someone listening in right now, or if you know
(04:22):
that loved one in your life right that is struggling
with their tobaccous This is a tremendous resource in Pennsylvania
to help people in that word recovery.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
As I mentioned, that's fantastic because it's not enough just
to get some nicotine gum. You really need that behavioral
support because I know so many former smokers who get triggered,
you know, where either someone else is smoking, or they
see someone smoking on TV or in the movies. There's
so many different triggers. So it's more it's really important
to determine what some of the triggers are and how
(04:53):
to really address them from a behavioral standpoint, in addition
to getting that nicotine patch or gum or whatever it
is to help with the cravings.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Right, yeah, hundred percent. I mean I'll be fully transparent
with you, Lorraine. You know, I used to be a
heavy tobaccuouser myself many many years ago, and after meals
was a very tough trigger for me, and so still
to this day. You know, I'll still have a toothpick
if I'm at a restaurant and I'm leaving, you know,
right there at that little concierge kiosk area on my
way out, because for me, that was really helpful. I
(05:24):
mean that after I ate, that was a really strong
trigger for me. So I still to this day we'll
have that toothpick on my way out the door, which
was something that was very helpful for me and my
recovery process so many years ago.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
You know.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
So the other thing I think it's really important about
the quitline is sometimes I think people have a perception
that the only way to really do this is working
with someone directly one to one, right there in front
of you, and that is a very important way to
recover from Tobaccuo's. But the convenience of the quitline is
really great in the sense that some folks may have transportation, mobility,
(05:58):
childcare issues would make it difficult to go to something
in person. And the data that from the quitline in
Pennsylvania is very strong and that if folks use the
full number of calls that is offered as well as
the pre medications, the rates of recovery are close to
around forty percent.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So think of it this way, of ten people to
call the quipline and for those that use again the
full amount of calls that are offered as well as
the medications, four out of ten, practically, if those folks
will successfully quit to vacuus that's may it sound like
a big number at first, blush, but that's a really
really significant impact for this resource.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
We also have to mention vaping because a lot of
young people, teenagers in particular, are vaping thinking that it's
a safer alternative. But tell us more.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, so vaping both for adults and youth is a
very very important issue. I'll serve with adults first and
then we'll transition into the youth piece. And so for adults,
rates of vaping nationally is only to cigarettes. So that's
more than hooka, more than cigars, more than other types
of tobacco products. And so there's strong data in Pennsylvania
(07:08):
that there are a number of adults who are vaping.
And there's a really concerning pattern that you see in
the data across age ranges, which is like a dual
use pattern where adults that you know, because the vaping
companies will say, use this to help you quit, right,
transition off of tobacco essentially. But the data that's available
across different age ranges show that it's not an insignificant
number of adults are still vaping and smoking interchangeably, so
(07:31):
not quitting, but just using cigarettes in certain settings. And
vaping in other settings, and that's important with the product
like tobacco, which has no safe level of exposure. Now
for youth, rates have been declining slightly nationally and locally,
but this is still in every respect of vaping epidemic
that we're in the midst of, right. So there are
some specialized resources for youth that are trying to recover
(07:55):
from their vaping use. And one of those that I
really like to call out is my Life Might Quit
as well as one called this is Quitting. And so
this is available to connect via the web, via text
messaging or by an online number, and you can call
that number. Any young person can call that number and
get help with bathing.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
That's fantastic. So tell us all the numbers, all the websites,
all the social media, tell us all the details.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Yeah, there's a.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Lot out there, isn't there. So which is a great,
a great thing. So for adults, I would really suggest
one hundred quit now. That is the number for the
Pennsylvania Frequent Line, one eight hundred Quit Now. There's also
resources available via text messaging and online like become an
X is another really great one for adults. For youth
(08:41):
that are particularly ensnared in bathing. This is quitting, which
is developed by the Truth Initiative as a resource I
would certainly recommend, as well as one developed by the
Pennsylvania Department of Health called My Life, My Quid. So
I think my parting message would really be, this is
a very significant addiction, you know, both for adults and
young people, and most individuals require some type of health
(09:03):
and support in order to get there. And this support
is available to be again free, confidential, non judgmental, to
make that recovery process not just more successful in terms
of sustaining absence from tobacco, but also easier, right for folks.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
And what's that toll free number? One more time?
Speaker 2 (09:21):
One eight hundred quit now one hundred quyt and.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Ow fantastic, Ryan Kaufman, who is Tobacco Policy and Control
Program Manager for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. You
can quit. It can happen today. Just give that number
a call.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Thank you so much, Ryan, Thanks very always a pleasure
to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Thank you you're listening to Insight. I'm Lorraine Valladmorrow. African
Americans pursuing careers in science often face a range of
challenges rooted in systemic inequalities. These challenges include limited access
to quality education, which can hinder the ability to excel
in science related fields. Additionally, under representation and stem fields
(10:00):
means that there are fewer role models and mentors who
look like them, making it harder to envision a successful
career path. While we have a representation right here, a
role model who is really I'm very proud and very
honored to introduce, and that's Nefee s Norris. He is
CEO and founder of Nefee's Innovations. He is a scientist,
and I want to thank you so much for joining
(10:22):
us today.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Well, before we get into what you do, because it's
a fairly verified area of science, i'd like to talk
about your journey to science. As I mentioned before, there
are a lot of systemic inequalities based in our educational
system and even in our communities and culture, there's not
always a positive reinforcement for educational excellence. I'm wondering how
(10:46):
are you able to navigate that and get to the
point that you are at now?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Okay, So I always ask people do you want the
political correct answer? Do you want the truth?
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Oh, let's go for hashtag truth.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Okay, For me, it started at nine. I just had
a fascination with science, right. I was a curious kid.
If I got a paper cut, I didn't run home immediately.
I would just always look at the blood first and
just study it. Very kind of awkward for a nine
year old to do that, but I always got like
this fluid, why is it read? So that's where my
(11:19):
scientific curiosity started and all of this, I'll say, my
journey to becoming a scientist. I don't want to say
it happened by accident, but it happened on purpose, you know,
via God. Right. So for me, I was in undergrad
and they asked me to pick a major and I
asked them what's the hardest thing here? And they said
it's either nursing or biology. And I said, well, I'll
(11:42):
go with biology, right, since I always had that curiosity.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
You asked for the hardest thing here.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Yeah, that's my nature. Right. If you're going to keep
me in a place for a while, challenge me, right.
And I also tell like, anytime I go to an
interview like challenge me, I want to be challenged. So yeah,
I want to say I went through grad struggling through biology.
The program itself, especially I went from Community College of
(12:07):
Philapia to New University. I struggled tremendously, and I tell
people all the time I graduated with the two point
eight GPA, but I had a four point zero work ethic, right,
so my senior year was probably the roughest year, although
struggling with classes. I tell people all the time, I
(12:29):
failed four classes, all of them being science, and I
withdrew from three, all of them being science. And for me,
it was just the thing of I need to keep going.
This is something that I wanted, and I always go
by a Bible quote that my mother gave me rum
his eight twenty eight. All things work together for the
good of those who love him or called according to
his purpose. So for me, it was a no brainer
(12:52):
to just keep going. And plus that's also my nature.
I remember my senior year being homeless and I was
actually living out of my car and like trying to
study for finals and everything like that, and it was
extremely tough. A young lady I was didating at the
time had just broken up with me.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Oh my gosh, right, I was struggling broke up. Oh
my gosh. You can't get any word from that, and I'm.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Like, you gotta be kidding me. So it's a Saturday
morning in January.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
So there's also COVID happening at the same time.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Well this is like pre COVID, like just before.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
So I'm sitting there like I don't know what I'm
going to do, and I get a phone call at
like seven am, and it's from a lady, missus Carla,
that I went to church with. She calls me and
she says, hey, can you help me with the church play?
And I'm like, no, I got too much happening. Do
you understand what I got going on? I started. I
(13:46):
just started opening up to Miss Carltt because we had
that relationship. Her and her husband has always like looked
after me, her and mister Sam. So at seven point
thirty in the morning, she actually prayed with me over
the phone and told me to get there right. You're
probably wondering, like, where's the science part coming in?
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I know we're going to get there eventually.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
So I remember, I said, okay, whatever. I drove to
the church because I was sleeping in my car on
the school's campus and I would literally get up every
morning take showers at La fitness and then go about
my way. So I drove an hour back to Philly
and so I'm sitting there, you know, helping out with
the church play. I'm like, do you guys need me
the whole lights or like what's going on? I ended
(14:26):
up getting an acting part or something like that. And
so old Pastor of Mind comes up to me. He says, hey,
you know you're still doing the science thing. And I
was like, uh yeah, I graduated may hopefully right with
all the struggling going on. And he says, I want
to introduce you to a friend of mine. And so
at that point he introduces me to doctor Cameron bart
(14:49):
Living and he is a black scientist and me personally,
I've never met a black scientist and I'm like, okay, cool.
So me We're talking and we exchanged LinkedIn and things
like that. He invites me up to Jefferson University for
a tour. He said, hey, we just got a new
left facility built. I want you to just come up
(15:10):
for a tour. I said okay. Probably about two weeks later,
I go up for a tour. He's like, okay, let
me show you around things like that, and I'm naming
some of the things like they had, and he was
like kind of thoroughly impressed, and he said, how would
you feel about coming here? The tour literally turned into
an interview. So I always tell people, you know, and
(15:32):
I was telling them like, I don't have the grades
to get in here, dude, Like I was just being
honest with him, and he was like, you know, he said, no,
it's based off your character. And now these days, whenever
I go talk to young people, I tell them like,
you know, your character will take you places that your
talent cannot. I've worked with a lot of mean people
in these fast coverle year I'm like, you're just not
going nowhere. Man. I was probably he invited me into
(15:56):
the program. I applied. I'm thinking he's joking. Next time,
I know, accepted into the university, I think like less
than a week, and usually it takes a lot longer
than that. Yeah, And I was in for a week
and then you know, I went through the program and
we were They had me doing an interview one day
for the program and next thing I know, my story
(16:18):
comes out that I'm the first African American to ever
be accepted into a program of bio pharmaceutical process engineering
in North America. And then next thing, I know, phil
If the inquir got hold of the story. Then Atlanta
Black Star got hold of the story. Then next thing,
I have Channel six writing me on Twitter, and then
(16:41):
twenty Channel twenty nine and ever since then my career
just kind of like took off on a nice good
pace and got my first real adult job a year later.
It was a one year master's program, did really well,
went from a two point eight to a three point
eight in grad school, did really well in the program,
and they did an excellent job at parame for industry.
I will say that, so for me to walk into
(17:03):
the industry knowing all that I know and that I
knew and just to grow from there, I was ahead
of most people that didn't have the training. Wow.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
So he started being very interested in scientists from a
very early age. You got into a program, chose the
hardest thing possible, and then you struggled, but you didn't
give up. And then you met a black scientist, which
I referred to at the beginning that there's so relatively few,
that there is a lack of role models, but you
happen to find one, and thanks to your lovely mentor
(17:32):
who invited you to help out with his church play
right and prayed for you and connected you with him.
Got into this master's program at Jefferson University Hospital, and
then got a job in a fairly rarefied field. And
just describe with briefly what that is that you do.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yeah, So my first company I started at was glack
O Smith clin GSK for short, right, and I started
off as an associated scientist working in research development for
therapeutic medicine, just trying to optimize a process of making medicine.
How can we make this thing more pure, quicker, you know,
can we take time off the clock to get this
(18:10):
medicine out and stuff like that. So it's just a
little different things. There's so many moving parts of the process.
So for me, it was just like, okay, let's just
pick one area and focus on there. And my area
was cell culture. Cell culture is just working with cells
for the most part, and just research and development of
working with cells.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
And now what you do is you also go around
to different schools to explain and teach people about the
work that you do regarding creating more streamlined processes so
that medicines and research can be done in a safe,
high quality way. So it's a very rarefied part of science.
(18:52):
But that aside, I'd like to just get back to
you Nefie's and talk a bit about what it is.
So clearly you've got grit and persistence, maybe stubbornness, but in.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
A good way to real served you well, right, but
also the ability to look at what possibilities exist out there,
because sometimes I think we are lacking possibility role models, right, So.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
We don't necessarily, you know, we stay in our little communities.
We're in our neighborhoods. We maybe never venture outside of
the ten block radius around where we live. That's Philly
for you, you know, very very community neighborhood oriented. But
you blew that all out of the water.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
I'm saying, thinking like we told about.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Me, Yeah, that would be you. Where did you grow up?
Speaker 3 (19:44):
I grew up in North Philadelphia park called Nice Town.
Wasn't so nice?
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (19:49):
From here Fog Street? Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Yeah, So I would say that probably the percentage of
scientists coming out of that neighborhood is probably pretty minuscule, right,
And you know, there's so many issues and let's also
kind of circle back to something I touched on. I
know that. I know I was growing up, I was
kind of considered sort of like a brainiact, but I
didn't get rewarded for that. You know, people put me down, Oh,
(20:15):
you're acting too white, or you're you know, you're trying
to do this and that, and kind of like it
wasn't necessarily I wasn't getting a lot of support for
trying to be smart, right, and sometimes that's what we
do for that's what we do to ourselves, and that's
not cool, right, Yeah, I say.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
You know I was made fun of. I mean, you
always get the you know, all you a nerd and
stuff like that, are your geek and you know, being
socially awkward supposed to not so much. Now if I
don't like it, I just won't talk to you, and
then people think I'm like weird. No, I says, I
don't like you.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Well, you know, looking back on all the people that
you grew up with, and if they could see you now, right,
it's like, wow, you know you're successful and if this
is radio, but you're also very handsome and you're I
know I'm going to embarrasy there, but you're smart, handsome, you're
a black scientist, you're unique, and people have recognized you
(21:16):
for the accomplished accomplishments that you've made so far. So
that's pretty extraordinary when you think about it.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
Yeah, I appreciate that. I would say, going back to
my grit where it came from, I would say, you
know two stories that I have really quick if you
got time, sure. One was my grandfather when he was alive,
Hubert Barnes. I was probably like five and he was
(21:47):
He was military, like Marines, right, So he had us
running up hills. I'm five. I'm like, dude, like, we
can't go to the playground. Me plays nothing. He's just like, no,
We're gonna run hills, you know. And I'm like, not
basketball or nothing. So he had his running hills and
(22:10):
I remember he helped all of my cousins but me
up the hill and he just kept telling me like,
put your head down and drive right, you know, just
put your head down, keep running. And I just remember,
like yo, I kept reaching for a tam. I'm like, dude, yo,
help me, man, and he was like, no, you got it,
(22:32):
he said, tell yourself you got it. And I'm like okay.
So by the time I got up to the hill,
he's just sitting there looking at me, smiling. He's like,
I told you you could. And that moment gave me
that that little moment to most people be like, Okay,
that's a cute story, but to me that meant everything.
That was like I know I can do anything as
long as I put my head down and I push right.
(22:54):
And the second story is seventh grade. I was a
bit of a class clown. I'm not gonna lie. And
it was during the time I was trying to like
stop being a class clan and take my work serious.
And there was a teacher I'm not going to give
any names, but.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
I had no names here, right.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
He was my history teacher in seventh grade. And we
were sitting in class and I was a young lady
and I'm definitely not going to give her name because
she might find me on social media or something. And
she was presenting a report in front of the class.
And I never forgot this. She was presenting a report
and she said, and I had accidentally, like tried to
ask a question or something like that. I forget how
(23:36):
it happened, but I was serious. It wasn't a joke.
It wasn't trying to make fun of anybody, and she
said to me, in front of the whole class, you
will never amount to anything in life.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Whoa.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
And the teacher looked at me, did my face and say,
you know what, She's right. And from that moment forward,
I was like, bet it wasn't It wasn't like oh
I'm gonna go home set. It wasn't a you know,
oh I'm offended, I'm heard. No, Okay, watch this. You
know that was my mentality at fourteen thirteen fourteen. Wow,
(24:10):
So I'm like okay, cool. And when people, you know,
rooted against me or like doubted me, it put me
in a comfort zone. You know. I come from a
trash talking family, so it's like, okay, you know you're
gonna adopt me, that's what's up. You know. My father
would tell me like nah, you can't do that, but like,
you know, like challenge me in a way, like not
(24:32):
saying I really couldn't do that. It's like no, you
can't do that, and I'm like, okay, watch this, and
then he would watch me do it and he would
be proud. And that was just embedded in me at
a young age, like okay, watch this.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Wow, that's interesting. Yeah, there's so a couple of things.
It's like, your grandfather really taught you something. But I
think it's not only that he taught you about what
it's like to persist on your own, but you receive
that message. You received that lesson, and not everybody received
the lessons that the world gives them. And then when
(25:03):
those two individuals, that person whose name shall not be
spoken again, or that teacher should be fired hello, because
that's the exact opposite of what teachers should be doing.
And they should be telling you what you're capable of,
what your potential is, and how you're going to succeed.
And you didn't take that as an indictment and a
label that you need to live to live into. You
(25:25):
took it as a challenge. I'm going to show you
I'm not going to be that thing that you just said.
I'm going to be the exact opposite. And then and
then here you are. Ye.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
I love challenges.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
I love that. I love that so much. That is
so great. So what would be your message to folks
out there who might be considering a field like science.
It's a large field, there's so many different pieces to it,
but maybe they're not getting that kind of support. But
what would be some of the things that you would say,
These are some things you should think about.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Getting into this field or is it? I would say
the message, as I mentioned earlier, would be your character
will take you places that your talent cannot. And then
for me, it's not always about you, right Like I
feel like the greatest thing you could do in this
lifetime is served right, whether if it serves your family,
(26:18):
serve your community, things like that. I can't speak for
anybody else's why, you know, but for me, it like
being a serve, like you know, a servant for my
community and you know the health you know community. I
would say even the reason why I started my company
was because of family. You don't hear too many biotech
(26:40):
companies or anything talking about family. And I'll sit here
and pose a question to you. How many people you
know take prescription drugs?
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Just about everybody I know takes a prescription drug.
Speaker 3 (26:51):
So what this? How many have you known that we're
taking those prescription drugs? And unfortunately Pat moved on and
passed away.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
I know some.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Right, So for me, that is my job right to
keep families together longer with the medicine that I make,
and by teaching other students how to make medicine, you know, properly,
because you got to think the biggest issues in our
industry is not money or resources or anything like that.
Forty six percent of it is human error, and I
(27:24):
believe thirty two percent of it is equipment issues. But
if you train the people, they will know how to
work the equipment properly or troubleshoot it. And then if
you train the people again on you know, just human error,
knowing how to do things the right way in the lab,
then we avoid that problem and we make a better
product and long term to keep your family together. Right.
(27:48):
So for me, it's not about you, and it's also
about the people coming up behind you. Right, even if
this is not a field for you to indulge in,
find what it is like, you know, find your person,
you know. For me, my mother always told me seek
God and find your purpose. That's how you find it.
And for me, I can tell you where I was,
and you know what I was doing when I found
(28:09):
my purpose. July first, twenty twenty twelve, O seven.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
Am okay on specific.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
I knew exactly that moment I was going to start
this company and like, do this really. I love to teach,
I love to serve. For anybody, I would say, fine,
what brings you joy serving and do that. Don't focus
on money. You know, if you truly want to be happy, like,
find something that you love doing that serves others and
(28:38):
you'll get a lot of joy out of it.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
I love that, and it's great advice, whether you're interested
in getting into the sciences or really just living your life.
Great advice, Nefist Norris. If people want to know more
about Nefist's innovations, where do they go?
Speaker 3 (28:53):
They can go to my now newly up and running website,
no feast, that's naf e SI, no dot com. Schools
can set up a consultation. I can welcome through a
presentation of how I'll be presenting and so yeah. They
can reach out to me on their via consultation and
also Instagram at nafis Innovations.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Wonderful Nafee Norris, CEO and founder of Nefiz's innovations, Thank
you so much.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
All right, thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app They Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard, MARL and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:41):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
Good morning. You're listening to Insight, a show about empowering
our community. I'm Lorraine Balladmorrow. Nafie s Norris is impressive.
He's a scientist. He's also CEO and founder of Nofie's Innovations.
I speak to him about his journey from folks telling
him he wouldn't amount to anything, to his work with
major pharmaceutical companies and his efforts to get more kids
(00:22):
involved in sciences. First, we know it's hard to quit smoking,
but there are resources to help you kick the habit.
There is nothing harder to quit, no habit so difficult
and relentlessly hazardous to one's health yet hard to break
than tobacco use. There are some amazing free resources you
can use to tell us more. Ryan Kaufman, who is
(00:43):
Tobacco Policy and Control Program Manager for the Philadelphia Department
of Public Health, why is tobacco use so hard to quit? Ryan?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Yeah, it's a great question. Lorraine, A really pleasure to
be here with you. May thanks so much for having me.
Tobacco use disorder, which is a more way of how
we think of tobacco use. It's really built on a
few factors, right, It's behaviorally addictive. You can think of
it that way. Right, Over years of use, it becomes
links to moods, persons, places, things for folks in their
(01:12):
everyday life. Physically, nicotine is extremely addictive. It's engineered to
be addictive on the part of the tobacco industry, and
then there's also a lot of systemic and cultural factors
which can play into it as well. Some folks may,
for instance, reside in communities where there is a greater
amount of tobacco industry marketing that's present in those communities.
(01:33):
So all those factors really come together to create a
substance use disorder, which is really what tobacco use is,
you know, like alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and also a chronic
disease much like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma for instance. And
so it is a very significant substance use disorder in
(01:54):
prinme disease. But recovery, especially with resources and support like
we're talking about here today, can make that process recovery
much easier as well as more successful.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Before we get into what those resources are, I would
like to talk about the state of tobacco use in general.
Tobacco use is down I think a lot of us
are getting the message that is just bad. It's definitely
one way to prevent so many diseases, and yet in
some communities it's still pretty prevalent and maybe even on
the rise. Can you tell us a little more about that.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Yeah, So, nationwide and in Philadelphia, tobacco's rates have been
declining for adults and for youth rates are still significantly higher. However,
again in those same communities that the tobacco industry deliberately
targets with cheaper products, more addictive products, more marketing and advertising.
Some of those communities include LGBTQA plus communities, folks with
(02:46):
behavioral health challenges, low income ration, ethnic minority populations, veteran
populations all use tobacco a much higher rates. And that's
not by cautious choice, right, that's really from a very
aggressive strategy on the part of the industry read to
drive tobacco's rates up higher in those communities. Though, no
matter what community we're here talking about today, again, just
(03:07):
really want to lead to that message that tobacco recovery
is possible, is safe, is achievable, and having help and
support both directly and through friends, families, people that love
you and care about you can make that road to
recovery a more lasting and an easier process.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
Well, that's where we want to go now is talking
about the resources that are available and the fact that
you can quit. It is possible, and the technology has
certainly advanced tremendously over these last decades. So tell us
what are those free resources.
Speaker 2 (03:37):
One that we're extremely interested in sharing with you today
with your callers is the Pennsylvania Freequent Line. So this
is a completely free, confidential and non judgmental telephonic tobacco
treatment resource. So any Pennsylvania resident can call this number
and get free pharmacotherapy, nicotine patches, gom lozenges which again
(03:59):
help with that physical addiction we spoke of earlier, as
well as a behavioral treatment plan provided by a highly
trained professional and to work through those cues, triggers and
cravings that folks have for tobaccuus. Available in a variety
of languages, even have text messaging options and as available
nearly twenty four hours a day, So this could be
for someone listening in right now, or if you know
(04:22):
that loved one in your life right that is struggling
with their tobaccous This is a tremendous resource in Pennsylvania
to help people in that word recovery.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
As I mentioned, that's fantastic because it's not enough just
to get some nicotine gum. You really need that behavioral
support because I know so many former smokers who get triggered,
you know, where either someone else is smoking, or they
see someone smoking on TV or in the movies. There's
so many different triggers. So it's more it's really important
to determine what some of the triggers are and how
(04:53):
to really address them from a behavioral standpoint, in addition
to getting that nicotine patch or gum or whatever it
is to help with the cravings.
Speaker 2 (05:02):
Right, yeah, hundred percent. I mean I'll be fully transparent
with you, Lorraine. You know, I used to be a
heavy tobaccuouser myself many many years ago, and after meals
was a very tough trigger for me, and so still
to this day. You know, I'll still have a toothpick
if I'm at a restaurant and I'm leaving, you know,
right there at that little concierge kiosk area on my
way out, because for me, that was really helpful. I
(05:24):
mean that after I ate, that was a really strong
trigger for me. So I still to this day we'll
have that toothpick on my way out the door, which
was something that was very helpful for me and my
recovery process so many years ago.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
You know.
Speaker 2 (05:37):
So the other thing I think it's really important about
the quitline is sometimes I think people have a perception
that the only way to really do this is working
with someone directly one to one, right there in front
of you, and that is a very important way to
recover from Tobaccuo's. But the convenience of the quitline is
really great in the sense that some folks may have transportation, mobility,
(05:58):
childcare issues would make it difficult to go to something
in person. And the data that from the quitline in
Pennsylvania is very strong and that if folks use the
full number of calls that is offered as well as
the pre medications, the rates of recovery are close to
around forty percent.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Wow.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
So think of it this way, of ten people to
call the quipline and for those that use again the
full amount of calls that are offered as well as
the medications, four out of ten, practically, if those folks
will successfully quit to vacuus that's may it sound like
a big number at first, blush, but that's a really
really significant impact for this resource.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
We also have to mention vaping because a lot of
young people, teenagers in particular, are vaping thinking that it's
a safer alternative. But tell us more.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Yeah, so vaping both for adults and youth is a
very very important issue. I'll serve with adults first and
then we'll transition into the youth piece. And so for adults,
rates of vaping nationally is only to cigarettes. So that's
more than hooka, more than cigars, more than other types
of tobacco products. And so there's strong data in Pennsylvania
(07:08):
that there are a number of adults who are vaping.
And there's a really concerning pattern that you see in
the data across age ranges, which is like a dual
use pattern where adults that you know, because the vaping
companies will say, use this to help you quit, right,
transition off of tobacco essentially. But the data that's available
across different age ranges show that it's not an insignificant
number of adults are still vaping and smoking interchangeably, so
(07:31):
not quitting, but just using cigarettes in certain settings. And
vaping in other settings, and that's important with the product
like tobacco, which has no safe level of exposure. Now
for youth, rates have been declining slightly nationally and locally,
but this is still in every respect of vaping epidemic
that we're in the midst of, right. So there are
some specialized resources for youth that are trying to recover
(07:55):
from their vaping use. And one of those that I
really like to call out is my Life Might Quit
as well as one called this is Quitting. And so
this is available to connect via the web, via text
messaging or by an online number, and you can call
that number. Any young person can call that number and
get help with bathing.
Speaker 1 (08:13):
That's fantastic. So tell us all the numbers, all the websites,
all the social media, tell us all the details.
Speaker 3 (08:21):
Yeah, there's a.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Lot out there, isn't there. So which is a great,
a great thing. So for adults, I would really suggest
one hundred quit now. That is the number for the
Pennsylvania Frequent Line, one eight hundred Quit Now. There's also
resources available via text messaging and online like become an
X is another really great one for adults. For youth
(08:41):
that are particularly ensnared in bathing. This is quitting, which
is developed by the Truth Initiative as a resource I
would certainly recommend, as well as one developed by the
Pennsylvania Department of Health called My Life, My Quid. So
I think my parting message would really be, this is
a very significant addiction, you know, both for adults and
young people, and most individuals require some type of health
(09:03):
and support in order to get there. And this support
is available to be again free, confidential, non judgmental, to
make that recovery process not just more successful in terms
of sustaining absence from tobacco, but also easier, right for folks.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
And what's that toll free number? One more time?
Speaker 2 (09:21):
One eight hundred quit now one hundred quyt and.
Speaker 1 (09:25):
Ow fantastic, Ryan Kaufman, who is Tobacco Policy and Control
Program Manager for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. You
can quit. It can happen today. Just give that number
a call.
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Thank you so much, Ryan, Thanks very always a pleasure
to talk to you.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
Thank you you're listening to Insight. I'm Lorraine Valladmorrow. African
Americans pursuing careers in science often face a range of
challenges rooted in systemic inequalities. These challenges include limited access
to quality education, which can hinder the ability to excel
in science related fields. Additionally, under representation and stem fields
(10:00):
means that there are fewer role models and mentors who
look like them, making it harder to envision a successful
career path. While we have a representation right here, a
role model who is really I'm very proud and very
honored to introduce, and that's Nefee s Norris. He is
CEO and founder of Nefee's Innovations. He is a scientist,
and I want to thank you so much for joining
(10:22):
us today.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Well, before we get into what you do, because it's
a fairly verified area of science, i'd like to talk
about your journey to science. As I mentioned before, there
are a lot of systemic inequalities based in our educational
system and even in our communities and culture, there's not
always a positive reinforcement for educational excellence. I'm wondering how
(10:46):
are you able to navigate that and get to the
point that you are at now?
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Okay, So I always ask people do you want the
political correct answer? Do you want the truth?
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Oh, let's go for hashtag truth.
Speaker 3 (10:57):
Okay, For me, it started at nine. I just had
a fascination with science, right. I was a curious kid.
If I got a paper cut, I didn't run home immediately.
I would just always look at the blood first and
just study it. Very kind of awkward for a nine
year old to do that, but I always got like
this fluid, why is it read? So that's where my
(11:19):
scientific curiosity started and all of this, I'll say, my
journey to becoming a scientist. I don't want to say
it happened by accident, but it happened on purpose, you know,
via God. Right. So for me, I was in undergrad
and they asked me to pick a major and I
asked them what's the hardest thing here? And they said
it's either nursing or biology. And I said, well, I'll
(11:42):
go with biology, right, since I always had that curiosity.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
You asked for the hardest thing here.
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Yeah, that's my nature. Right. If you're going to keep
me in a place for a while, challenge me, right.
And I also tell like, anytime I go to an
interview like challenge me, I want to be challenged. So yeah,
I want to say I went through grad struggling through biology.
The program itself, especially I went from Community College of
(12:07):
Philapia to New University. I struggled tremendously, and I tell
people all the time I graduated with the two point
eight GPA, but I had a four point zero work ethic, right,
so my senior year was probably the roughest year, although
struggling with classes. I tell people all the time, I
(12:29):
failed four classes, all of them being science, and I
withdrew from three, all of them being science. And for me,
it was just the thing of I need to keep going.
This is something that I wanted, and I always go
by a Bible quote that my mother gave me rum
his eight twenty eight. All things work together for the
good of those who love him or called according to
his purpose. So for me, it was a no brainer
(12:52):
to just keep going. And plus that's also my nature.
I remember my senior year being homeless and I was
actually living out of my car and like trying to
study for finals and everything like that, and it was
extremely tough. A young lady I was didating at the
time had just broken up with me.
Speaker 1 (13:07):
Oh my gosh, right, I was struggling broke up. Oh
my gosh. You can't get any word from that, and I'm.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Like, you gotta be kidding me. So it's a Saturday
morning in January.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
So there's also COVID happening at the same time.
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Well this is like pre COVID, like just before.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
So I'm sitting there like I don't know what I'm
going to do, and I get a phone call at
like seven am, and it's from a lady, missus Carla,
that I went to church with. She calls me and
she says, hey, can you help me with the church play?
And I'm like, no, I got too much happening. Do
you understand what I got going on? I started. I
(13:46):
just started opening up to Miss Carltt because we had
that relationship. Her and her husband has always like looked
after me, her and mister Sam. So at seven point
thirty in the morning, she actually prayed with me over
the phone and told me to get there right. You're
probably wondering, like, where's the science part coming in?
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I know we're going to get there eventually.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
So I remember, I said, okay, whatever. I drove to
the church because I was sleeping in my car on
the school's campus and I would literally get up every
morning take showers at La fitness and then go about
my way. So I drove an hour back to Philly
and so I'm sitting there, you know, helping out with
the church play. I'm like, do you guys need me
the whole lights or like what's going on? I ended
(14:26):
up getting an acting part or something like that. And
so old Pastor of Mind comes up to me. He says, hey,
you know you're still doing the science thing. And I
was like, uh yeah, I graduated may hopefully right with
all the struggling going on. And he says, I want
to introduce you to a friend of mine. And so
at that point he introduces me to doctor Cameron bart
(14:49):
Living and he is a black scientist and me personally,
I've never met a black scientist and I'm like, okay, cool.
So me We're talking and we exchanged LinkedIn and things
like that. He invites me up to Jefferson University for
a tour. He said, hey, we just got a new
left facility built. I want you to just come up
(15:10):
for a tour. I said okay. Probably about two weeks later,
I go up for a tour. He's like, okay, let
me show you around things like that, and I'm naming
some of the things like they had, and he was
like kind of thoroughly impressed, and he said, how would
you feel about coming here? The tour literally turned into
an interview. So I always tell people, you know, and
(15:32):
I was telling them like, I don't have the grades
to get in here, dude, Like I was just being
honest with him, and he was like, you know, he said, no,
it's based off your character. And now these days, whenever
I go talk to young people, I tell them like,
you know, your character will take you places that your
talent cannot. I've worked with a lot of mean people
in these fast coverle year I'm like, you're just not
going nowhere. Man. I was probably he invited me into
(15:56):
the program. I applied. I'm thinking he's joking. Next time,
I know, accepted into the university, I think like less
than a week, and usually it takes a lot longer
than that. Yeah, And I was in for a week
and then you know, I went through the program and
we were They had me doing an interview one day
for the program and next thing I know, my story
(16:18):
comes out that I'm the first African American to ever
be accepted into a program of bio pharmaceutical process engineering
in North America. And then next thing, I know, phil
If the inquir got hold of the story. Then Atlanta
Black Star got hold of the story. Then next thing,
I have Channel six writing me on Twitter, and then
(16:41):
twenty Channel twenty nine and ever since then my career
just kind of like took off on a nice good
pace and got my first real adult job a year later.
It was a one year master's program, did really well,
went from a two point eight to a three point
eight in grad school, did really well in the program,
and they did an excellent job at parame for industry.
I will say that, so for me to walk into
(17:03):
the industry knowing all that I know and that I
knew and just to grow from there, I was ahead
of most people that didn't have the training. Wow.
Speaker 1 (17:10):
So he started being very interested in scientists from a
very early age. You got into a program, chose the
hardest thing possible, and then you struggled, but you didn't
give up. And then you met a black scientist, which
I referred to at the beginning that there's so relatively few,
that there is a lack of role models, but you
happen to find one, and thanks to your lovely mentor
(17:32):
who invited you to help out with his church play
right and prayed for you and connected you with him.
Got into this master's program at Jefferson University Hospital, and
then got a job in a fairly rarefied field. And
just describe with briefly what that is that you do.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yeah, So my first company I started at was glack
O Smith clin GSK for short, right, and I started
off as an associated scientist working in research development for
therapeutic medicine, just trying to optimize a process of making medicine.
How can we make this thing more pure, quicker, you know,
can we take time off the clock to get this
(18:10):
medicine out and stuff like that. So it's just a
little different things. There's so many moving parts of the process.
So for me, it was just like, okay, let's just
pick one area and focus on there. And my area
was cell culture. Cell culture is just working with cells
for the most part, and just research and development of
working with cells.
Speaker 1 (18:30):
And now what you do is you also go around
to different schools to explain and teach people about the
work that you do regarding creating more streamlined processes so
that medicines and research can be done in a safe,
high quality way. So it's a very rarefied part of science.
(18:52):
But that aside, I'd like to just get back to
you Nefie's and talk a bit about what it is.
So clearly you've got grit and persistence, maybe stubbornness, but in.
Speaker 4 (19:06):
A good way to real served you well, right, but
also the ability to look at what possibilities exist out there,
because sometimes I think we are lacking possibility role models, right, So.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
We don't necessarily, you know, we stay in our little communities.
We're in our neighborhoods. We maybe never venture outside of
the ten block radius around where we live. That's Philly
for you, you know, very very community neighborhood oriented. But
you blew that all out of the water.
Speaker 3 (19:38):
I'm saying, thinking like we told about.
Speaker 1 (19:40):
Me, Yeah, that would be you. Where did you grow up?
Speaker 3 (19:44):
I grew up in North Philadelphia park called Nice Town.
Wasn't so nice?
Speaker 1 (19:49):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (19:49):
From here Fog Street? Yeah.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Yeah, So I would say that probably the percentage of
scientists coming out of that neighborhood is probably pretty minuscule, right,
And you know, there's so many issues and let's also
kind of circle back to something I touched on. I
know that. I know I was growing up, I was
kind of considered sort of like a brainiact, but I
didn't get rewarded for that. You know, people put me down, Oh,
(20:15):
you're acting too white, or you're you know, you're trying
to do this and that, and kind of like it
wasn't necessarily I wasn't getting a lot of support for
trying to be smart, right, and sometimes that's what we
do for that's what we do to ourselves, and that's
not cool, right, Yeah, I say.
Speaker 3 (20:33):
You know I was made fun of. I mean, you
always get the you know, all you a nerd and
stuff like that, are your geek and you know, being
socially awkward supposed to not so much. Now if I
don't like it, I just won't talk to you, and
then people think I'm like weird. No, I says, I
don't like you.
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Well, you know, looking back on all the people that
you grew up with, and if they could see you now, right,
it's like, wow, you know you're successful and if this
is radio, but you're also very handsome and you're I
know I'm going to embarrasy there, but you're smart, handsome, you're
a black scientist, you're unique, and people have recognized you
(21:16):
for the accomplished accomplishments that you've made so far. So
that's pretty extraordinary when you think about it.
Speaker 3 (21:23):
Yeah, I appreciate that. I would say, going back to
my grit where it came from, I would say, you
know two stories that I have really quick if you
got time, sure. One was my grandfather when he was alive,
Hubert Barnes. I was probably like five and he was
(21:47):
He was military, like Marines, right, So he had us
running up hills. I'm five. I'm like, dude, like, we
can't go to the playground. Me plays nothing. He's just like, no,
We're gonna run hills, you know. And I'm like, not
basketball or nothing. So he had his running hills and
(22:10):
I remember he helped all of my cousins but me
up the hill and he just kept telling me like,
put your head down and drive right, you know, just
put your head down, keep running. And I just remember,
like yo, I kept reaching for a tam. I'm like, dude, yo,
help me, man, and he was like, no, you got it,
(22:32):
he said, tell yourself you got it. And I'm like okay.
So by the time I got up to the hill,
he's just sitting there looking at me, smiling. He's like,
I told you you could. And that moment gave me
that that little moment to most people be like, Okay,
that's a cute story, but to me that meant everything.
That was like I know I can do anything as
long as I put my head down and I push right.
(22:54):
And the second story is seventh grade. I was a
bit of a class clown. I'm not gonna lie. And
it was during the time I was trying to like
stop being a class clan and take my work serious.
And there was a teacher I'm not going to give
any names, but.
Speaker 1 (23:12):
I had no names here, right.
Speaker 3 (23:14):
He was my history teacher in seventh grade. And we
were sitting in class and I was a young lady
and I'm definitely not going to give her name because
she might find me on social media or something. And
she was presenting a report in front of the class.
And I never forgot this. She was presenting a report
and she said, and I had accidentally, like tried to
ask a question or something like that. I forget how
(23:36):
it happened, but I was serious. It wasn't a joke.
It wasn't trying to make fun of anybody, and she
said to me, in front of the whole class, you
will never amount to anything in life.
Speaker 1 (23:46):
Whoa.
Speaker 3 (23:47):
And the teacher looked at me, did my face and say,
you know what, She's right. And from that moment forward,
I was like, bet it wasn't It wasn't like oh
I'm gonna go home set. It wasn't a you know,
oh I'm offended, I'm heard. No, Okay, watch this. You
know that was my mentality at fourteen thirteen fourteen. Wow,
(24:10):
So I'm like okay, cool. And when people, you know,
rooted against me or like doubted me, it put me
in a comfort zone. You know. I come from a
trash talking family, so it's like, okay, you know you're
gonna adopt me, that's what's up. You know. My father
would tell me like nah, you can't do that, but like,
you know, like challenge me in a way, like not
(24:32):
saying I really couldn't do that. It's like no, you
can't do that, and I'm like, okay, watch this, and
then he would watch me do it and he would
be proud. And that was just embedded in me at
a young age, like okay, watch this.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
Wow, that's interesting. Yeah, there's so a couple of things.
It's like, your grandfather really taught you something. But I
think it's not only that he taught you about what
it's like to persist on your own, but you receive
that message. You received that lesson, and not everybody received
the lessons that the world gives them. And then when
(25:03):
those two individuals, that person whose name shall not be
spoken again, or that teacher should be fired hello, because
that's the exact opposite of what teachers should be doing.
And they should be telling you what you're capable of,
what your potential is, and how you're going to succeed.
And you didn't take that as an indictment and a
label that you need to live to live into. You
(25:25):
took it as a challenge. I'm going to show you
I'm not going to be that thing that you just said.
I'm going to be the exact opposite. And then and
then here you are. Ye.
Speaker 3 (25:34):
I love challenges.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
I love that. I love that so much. That is
so great. So what would be your message to folks
out there who might be considering a field like science.
It's a large field, there's so many different pieces to it,
but maybe they're not getting that kind of support. But
what would be some of the things that you would say,
These are some things you should think about.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Getting into this field or is it? I would say
the message, as I mentioned earlier, would be your character
will take you places that your talent cannot. And then
for me, it's not always about you, right Like I
feel like the greatest thing you could do in this
lifetime is served right, whether if it serves your family,
(26:18):
serve your community, things like that. I can't speak for
anybody else's why, you know, but for me, it like
being a serve, like you know, a servant for my
community and you know the health you know community. I
would say even the reason why I started my company
was because of family. You don't hear too many biotech
(26:40):
companies or anything talking about family. And I'll sit here
and pose a question to you. How many people you
know take prescription drugs?
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Just about everybody I know takes a prescription drug.
Speaker 3 (26:51):
So what this? How many have you known that we're
taking those prescription drugs? And unfortunately Pat moved on and
passed away.
Speaker 1 (27:00):
I know some.
Speaker 3 (27:01):
Right, So for me, that is my job right to
keep families together longer with the medicine that I make,
and by teaching other students how to make medicine, you know, properly,
because you got to think the biggest issues in our
industry is not money or resources or anything like that.
Forty six percent of it is human error, and I
(27:24):
believe thirty two percent of it is equipment issues. But
if you train the people, they will know how to
work the equipment properly or troubleshoot it. And then if
you train the people again on you know, just human error,
knowing how to do things the right way in the lab,
then we avoid that problem and we make a better
product and long term to keep your family together. Right.
(27:48):
So for me, it's not about you, and it's also
about the people coming up behind you. Right, even if
this is not a field for you to indulge in,
find what it is like, you know, find your person,
you know. For me, my mother always told me seek
God and find your purpose. That's how you find it.
And for me, I can tell you where I was,
and you know what I was doing when I found
(28:09):
my purpose. July first, twenty twenty twelve, O seven.
Speaker 1 (28:12):
Am okay on specific.
Speaker 3 (28:16):
I knew exactly that moment I was going to start
this company and like, do this really. I love to teach,
I love to serve. For anybody, I would say, fine,
what brings you joy serving and do that. Don't focus
on money. You know, if you truly want to be happy, like,
find something that you love doing that serves others and
(28:38):
you'll get a lot of joy out of it.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
I love that, and it's great advice, whether you're interested
in getting into the sciences or really just living your life.
Great advice, Nefist Norris. If people want to know more
about Nefist's innovations, where do they go?
Speaker 3 (28:53):
They can go to my now newly up and running website,
no feast, that's naf e SI, no dot com. Schools
can set up a consultation. I can welcome through a
presentation of how I'll be presenting and so yeah. They
can reach out to me on their via consultation and
also Instagram at nafis Innovations.
Speaker 1 (29:14):
Wonderful Nafee Norris, CEO and founder of Nefiz's innovations, Thank
you so much.
Speaker 3 (29:19):
All right, thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:20):
You can listen to all of today's interviews by going
to our station website and typing in keyword community. You
can also listen on the iHeartRadio app They Words Philadelphia
Community Podcast. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at Lorraine Ballard.
I'm Lorraine Ballard, MARL and I stand for service to
our community and media that empowers. What will you stand for?
(29:41):
You've been listening to Insight and thank you
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