Known as the “Secretary of Welfare,” Nathaniel Jordan said evidence is all around us that African Americans are facing an existential crisis because of eating habits and poor food choices. Some people, Jordan said, are addicted to food in the same way that others are addicted to heroin or opioids.
While this crisis is reversible, Jordan explains, there is a war on black health and significant barriers that make it extremely difficult for people to change.
“We are in a terrible position. We have no idea what to eat according to our species,” says Jordan, a noted health and wellness speaker, nationally certified health coach, and nutritional fitness specialist with the American Council on Exercise. “We have a food addiction that we need to overcome, but people don’t want to change. People eat junk food, fried chicken, Chinese fried rice and fried hard fatty foods.”
Jordan – who characterizes what happens to black people as “genocide” – said he is on a crusade to help spread the knowledge that helped him achieve excellent health. Regardless of race or income level, a critical part of his organization’s mission is to reduce health disparities by informing and motivating the black community regarding the healing power of lifestyle and nutritional medicine.
He will bring his healing message to the DMV region on Saturday, March 18, 2023. He will lead a free Community Health Fair and Seminar at Union Temple Baptist Church at 1225 W Street SE in Washington, D.C.
Meeting the health challenges of generations
He has been a personal trainer and licensed health specialist since 2015, fueled by watching horrible eating habits decimate his family.
“I was called to do this while grieving for my father, Reverend Eddie Jordan Jr.” Jordan recalls. “He learned from white pastors that he could eat anything he wanted—ham, chicken sandwiches, and chops—as long as he blessed it in Jesus’ name. He ended up having nine strokes and went from being a strong, powerful man to taking 25 different drugs and my mom changing his diapers.
Jordan said his father died at age 66.
“I watched the whole family succumb to poor food choices,” says Jordan, 39. “My father had dementia, my mother had several illnesses, including breast cancer. Uncle Kevin passed away at age 63 and Uncle Vann, who was a lifelong diabetic and owner of a multi-million dollar company, lost everything.
Meanwhile, Jordan said he was dealing with his own health issues.
“My dad’s problem terrified me, and something told me there was something wrong with the food I was eating,” Jordan said. “When I was in the Marines, I weighed 165 pounds, but as an officer in the St. Louis Police Department, I topped the scale at 260 pounds. My blood pressure was high and I had several health problems.”
Learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle
So Jordan, a husband and father of two, said he started the hard work of living a healthy lifestyle.
“In October 2011, after reaching a body weight of 260 pounds and 30 percent body fat. I used moderation and portion size control combined with vigorous exercise to lose 75 pounds by April 2012,” Jordan said on his website. “I kept losing weight until I reached 168 lbs and 4 percent body fat in November 2012. I also reversed my high blood pressure during this time. Later I slowly started to gain weight again, reaching 195 pounds in May 2013.
Jordan said he was watching “Eat to Live” by Dr. Joel Fuhrman had read, noting that the information in Fuhrman’s book changed his life forever. For the first time in his life, Jordan said, he learned the connection between what people eat and disease. He said he now eats a plant-rich, nutritious diet, as well as essential vitamins and minerals to boost his immune system. What sets his approach apart, the “Welfare Minister” said, is that he embraced biblical teachings.
“I started digging into the original scriptures and teaching the biblical way of eating,” explains Jordan. “People lived long by eating fruits, grains, figs – all natural and from the earth. I talked to doctors, including Dr. Sebi and Dr. Laila Africa, as well as Dick Gregory and the Hon. Elijah Muhammad. I went to school and read hundreds of books.”
“I need to put people on plants to cure cancer, diabetes and other diseases.”
Inspire the masses
Celebrated boxing promoter and talk show host Rock Newman said he is a big fan of Jordan’s.
“I’ve known Nathaniel since 2018. On MLK’s birthday, I flew him from St. Louis to DC,” said Newman, who is perhaps best known for guiding Reddick Bowe to the undisputed world heavyweight championship. “I was determined to be healthy. He was just beyond excellent. Those six months were some of the strongest I’ve ever been on.
“I am a fan of Nate and a supporter of what he does. I’ve seen it up close. I’ve struggled with weight all my life and I’ve seen the results when I’m as disciplined as I can be,” said Newman, a Howard University graduate and trustee and host of television and radio talk shows.
On his website and during an interview, Jordan praised Newman for the progress he made while serving as Newman’s full-time health and strength training coach. Jordan said Newman lost 75 pounds, reversing type II diabetes and beating other ailments.
The Welfare Minister is immersed in educating the public about “the basics of health and the healing power of food, helping thousands of people achieve their health goals and eradicate disease.” The St. Louis, Missouri-based author shares some of his experiences, challenges, and successes through the books he’s written and presentations on health and wellness.
Jordan focuses on helping educate clients and the public about the human body, food addiction and the power of plant foods.
“This is my calling. I will spend the rest of my life warning people that this is a genocide. COVID served as a wake-up call. The next one could be more deadly with a hantavirus or a mutation of Ebola, which can lead to 30 to 40 percent mortality.