Nora was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts along with her three younger sisters. Nora and her husband, Neil, presently live outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Together they have six adult children, fourteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
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During her early adolescent years, Nora experienced some life-changing truths that were revealed by a teacher who saw something in her that no one else could see. The impact that was made on her life so many years ago resulted in her having a burning desire to inspire, educate and empower women to raise their level of consciousness to know that they have the power to be great. She also believes that one of God's greatest gifts in life is to share the blessings that the Lord has given you.
 
For 18 years, Nora was a practicing Muslim in the Islamic religion, trying to find out who God really was. God knew about her feelings of emptiness. Little did she know that God's plan for her life did not include the Islamic faith. The seed of Christianity was planted in her life by her grandmother, Nora Dunn. God reunited that seed over thirty-six years ago when she joined Mary Kay. The seed was watered by another beauty consultant who asked Nora to help her conduct a skin care class for a women's fellowship day at New Mt. Temple Tabernacle Church in Durham, North Carolina.
 
According to Nora's plan, she was going to build her business with new customers and, of course, make some money. As class got underway, she happened to do a facial on the pastor of the church, who in turn invited her to church for their Sunday service. Nora attended church for three consecutive Sundays and on the fourth Sunday, the Lord spoke to her heart, and she rededicated her life to Christ. Her life has not been the same since. Today, she is proud to say that she is a fiery, faith walking Christian.

Honors and Achievements
• March 2022: Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy and Business from
Trinity International University of Ambassadors (TIUA).

• December 2022: Received the Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award from
TIUA in recognition of her exceptional leadership and community impact.

• February 2023: Honored during Black History Month with the Presidential Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award from TIUA in tribute to the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.

• June 2023: Received the International Anthology of the Year Award from TIUA
School of Business for her acclaimed work, “Your Faith Will Make You Unstoppable.”

• August 2023: Accepted into the Forbes BLK Community, a prestigious global
platform amplifying the voices of Black entrepreneurs, professionals, and creators.

• June 12, 2024: Presented with a Resolution of Honor at the Georgia State Capitol by Representative Billy Mitchell and Dr. Jacqueline Mohair, recognizing her appointment as a United Nations Peace Ambassador to the United Nations in New York.

• In December’s issue of Courageous Women’s Magazine, she made the list The Top 50 Courageous Women 2025

• December 13th, 2025 she was presented the Regional Vice Chancellor Champion of Growth Award.

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Dr. Nora Shariff-Borden continues to be a dynamic force for empowerment, faith, and transformation using her voice, vision, and influence to uplift communities, inspire purpose and ignite the greatness within others.