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Did you know that there is another book about…

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:36:00 +0000

Did you know that there is another book about a “Precious”? The new book, “Colorblind” is a memoir written by British journalist Precious Williams. It is a story about black Nigerian girl growing up in a 1970s white foster home in a village of West Sussex, England. I met Precious Williams about six years through a mutual friend and I am so proud that the book that she has been published.

According to Springfield Illinois’ The News G…

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:56:51 +0000

According to Springfield Illinois’ The News Gazette, another flu season is around the corner, and that means it will be roll-up-your-sleeve time again soon!
This year, just one flu shot will be needed. It will include the H1N1 strain that required an extra vaccine dose last year, along with two other strains.
About 100 million doses of flu vaccine are used annually in the U.S., and, as The News Gazette reports, vaccines will be available in Illinois through public health departments, doctor’s offices, hospitals and pharmacies, according to state public health officials.
For more information about how to receive the flu vaccine in your area, visit the Center for Disease Control website (http://www.cdc.gov/).

Over the Labor Day weekend, I went to Cone…

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 19:02:59 +0000

Over the Labor Day weekend, I went to Coney Island to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Wonder Wheel, which is one of the oldest ferris wheels in the country. I didn’t ride it, but I had a great time walking along the boardwalk and eating fried shrimp and clams. It was fun!

These ladies are fashion and bloggers who I m…

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:43:40 +0000

These ladies are fashion and bloggers who I met a few weeks who will be at Fashion Night Out. From Brooklyn to Brazil to Boston, the fashion industry is already buzzing about the news that this year’s globe-spanning extravaganza Fashion’s Night Out, is back! The 2010 edition of the biggest fashion party in history promises to be equally epic, splurge inspiring and full of even more stylish surprises.

Artist Hebru Brantley’s work explores the s…

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:19:32 +0000

Artist Hebru Brantley’s work explores the stereotypes and racist
propaganda found in American mass media, such as early
Warner Brothers and Disney cartoons. His work will be on display at Lyons Wier Gallery starting September 10th.

According to their website: New York City’s H…

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:40:00 +0000

According to their website: New York City’s HEREstay Program supports 250 guest independent artists and groups—such as New Georges and ViBe Theater Experience (an educational arts group for underserved urban teen girls)—and their audiences each season.
This creative curated rental program has allowed many upstart companies and emerging artists to realize their full artistic vision on a small budget. The program provides subsidized performance and rehearsal space, technical assistance, and administrative support, including a fully staffed box office. HEREstay artists can also access equipment that is not typically available in many venues such as video projectors, wireless microphones, color scrollers—all for free or at subsidized rates. They accept applications from artists all over the world for the opportunity to show work.
Click on the link attached for more information and let the show go on!

The Great Migration of African Americans was …

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:36:36 +0000

The Great Migration of African Americans was an inspiration for artist Jacob Lawrence and the subject of an expansive new book, “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson. In her first book, Wilkerson has documented the sweeping 55-year-long migration of black Americans across their own country. Read the New York Times review and buy the book to learn about this rich history.

Yesterday, hundreds of people came to Prospec…

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:09:51 +0000

Yesterday, hundreds of people came to Prospect Park to celebrate the birthday of Michael Jackson at the second annual MJ Picnic. The event was organized by Spike Lee and his production company 40 Acres. It was a fun afternoon of people dancing and singing to the music of Michael Jackson. I had a great time! BTW, you can download an exclusive mixtape of Michael Jackson songs by J.Period by clicking on this picture.

As Katy Perry sings “California girls are und…

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:14:24 +0000

As Katy Perry sings “California girls are undeniable…” 23 year old, aspiring designer Amanda Christine Ajisebutu proves that point with style one stitch at a time. This past weekend, Christine got the chance of a lifetime displayed her fashion line Aji by Amanda Christine for the very first time at the charity event “Walking Exhibition” in New York City.
“This is a surreal moment, it’s better than what I expected,” says the budding craftster who is moving from her native San Francisco to Los Angeles upon her return from the showcase in Manhattan. “LA [provides an even] better opportunity to network with established and up-and-coming designers, continues Christine, who adds, “New York will be my next step.”
Her showcase features lines for both men and women. Using bright and colorful looks with fabrics like organza, leather, jersey knit for women, Amanda Christine credits “motion” as the inspiration behind the collection. For Mens, Christine looks to Africa (a nod to her Nigerian ancestry) but incorporates a “Cali-twist”, choosing loose fit/oversized shapes and earth tones colors.
You go, girl!

This August 24-28th, Rebuilding Together New …

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:16:25 +0000

This August 24-28th, Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO) invites you to commemorate the fifth year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a renewal of a promise and a rebirth of a community. RTNO calls it Fifty for Five: 50 houses, five days, over 1,000 volunteers and a chance to make an unforgettable difference in the lives of 50 New Orleanian homeowners and their families. Click on the link for more information.

Yesterday, I attended a wonderful event hoste…

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 16:05:13 +0000

Yesterday, I attended a wonderful event hosted by Crystal Black Davis and Trina Morris called “Topics and Tapas”. It was a gathering of about a dozen inspiring African American women. Many are creative entrepreneurs and we discussed marriage, relationships and work-life balance. It was a pleasure to meet women who are doing amazing things. Speaking of amazing things, Crystal is also the author of a new novel, “Shaken and Stirred”. It is a lighthearted thirty-something coming of age tale.

When Coco Chanel decided to move to Paris to …

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:28:30 +0000

When Coco Chanel decided to move to Paris to build her fashion empire in 1920, the former seamstress found the support she needed to finance her successful growth from hats to clothing. In today’s fashion world, those dreaming of building an empire similar to Chanel may find a steeper climb ahead of them. Enter recent Pratt Institute grad Lisa Li founder of YouLiveAndYouLearn.Org, a non-profit that believes in “Fashion For Architecture,” helping to build a new kind of design world by helping her aspiring peers to gain exposure, experience and motivation.
On Friday August 27 from 7-10pm, the non-profit organization will host a fashion show, spotlighting up-and-coming designers from San Francisco, New York City and Paris. Set just days within New York Fashion Week, proceeds from the event will go directly towards expanding the organization and producing future fashion showcases.
YouLiveAndYouLearn.org presents the talent of aspiring and struggling fashion designers by working with them to create fashion events that have a strong charity/fundraising component. According to the website, these events serve as a “creative forum for many to learn and to express themselves.” Also, the goal of these events are to raise money to create programs for high school students and college graduates to gain diversified experience, qualifying them for license exams such as the NCIDQ for interior designers. This is an educational initiative that motivates and helps many to make their dreams come true.
Friday’s event includes the work of clothing and jewerly designers like Viva Aviva, Rock Victorious, Tosca Socaya Ottena, Amanda Christine and more.
Additionally, an online bone marrow registration drive will also be on site to help leukemia patients find donors. Tickets are $40. Click on the link attached to learn more!

According to WNYC News: New York is among the…

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:03:16 +0000

According to WNYC News: New York is among the winners of the much sought after Race to the Top federal education grants.
The grant could be worth up to $700 million to help the state kickstart education reforms, which include finding new ways of getting high quality teachers, improving the curriculum and testing, and creating a database to track students from kindergarten to college.
The state lost its first bid for a Race to the Top grant earlier this year when Tennessee and Delaware were the only winners. Other winners are Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C.
This second round of grants is worth a total of about $3.4 billion over three years.

Last week, Jones Magazine held a blogger open…

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 14:37:04 +0000

Last week, Jones Magazine held a blogger open house and invited beauty and fashion bloggers to peruse their first Fall Fashion issue which features 150 pages of the season’s hottest emerging trends. Editor in Chief Tracey Ferguson said, “Bloggers are the new editors.” Jones Magazine encourage collaboration and communication between the blogger and their staff as they intend to attack fashion and beauty with a vengeance. I like the fresh energy of Jones Magazine and look forward to their content on multiple platforms.