Friday, February 26, 2010

Josephine Baker and the Banana Dance



Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 РApril 12, 1975) was an American expatriate entertainer and actress. She became a French citizen in 1937. Most noted as a singer, Baker also was a celebrated dancer in her early career. She was given the nicknames the "Bronze Venus" or the "Black Pearl", as well as the "Cr̩ole Goddess" in anglophone nations. In France, she has always been known as "La Baker".

Baker was the first African American to star in a major motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall, and to become a world-famous entertainer. She is also noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States (she was offered the leadership of the movement by Coretta Scott King in 1968 following Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination, but turned it down[3]), for assisting the French Resistance during World War II[4] and for being the first American-born woman to receive the French military honor, the Croix de Guerre.


MOST OF US IN OUR GENERATION, WATCHED THE BANANA DANCE AS BEYONCE PERFORMED IT IN HER DEJA VU VIDEO....IT IS THE DANCE FOR WHICH JOSEPHINE BAKER IS THE MOST FAMOUS FOR PERFORMING.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

100 things I want to do....

I'm at work bored writing up some mumbo jumbo procedures and decided to take a blog break. So, I decided to make a list, or start at least, of things I want to do in this lifetime. Here goes:

1. Buy my dream house BEFORE I get married.
2. Invest in some promising stock.
3. Visit Africa while doing charity work...maybe help build something or develop a community.
4. Give a substantial amount of money to my college Alma Mater
5. Undergo genetic testing to find out what i'm really made of...who really knows anyway???
6. Visit Disney World @ Christmas time...the pics i've seen look sooo **PRETTY**
7. Start a program/magazine/blog meant to reach out to young women & their issues
8. Build or at least contribute to the building of a shelter.
9. Meet & marry the refined, handsome man in my dreams
10.Retire early, wealthy, and HAPPY!!!
11. Vacation in the South of France....St. Tropez
12. Meet Beyonce....YES!! I am a dedicated Stan and a very proud one @ that!!!!
13. Have four wonderful kids of my own....2boys and 2girls
14. Go shopping at the Mall of America
15. Have a photo session with Marques of CP
16. Take a pole/exotic dancing class
17. Go to the Superbowl...The ENERGY is probably amazing!!!
18. Visit wine country in Napa...
19. Own an Italian villa tucked behind some trees in Napa
20. Stomp the grapes...you know how they do to make wine
21. Go four wheeling in the snow...I really want an ATV
22. Always wanted to be the first, youngest, African American female Supreme Court Justice
23. Visit Amsterdam...PARTY, PARTY, PARTY...LETS ALL GET WASTED**
24. Get a Brazilian Wax
25. undergo laser hair removal
26. Visit Neverland Ranch...hopefully its turned into a memorial one day...R.I.P MJ
27. Perfect and become fluent in the French and Spanish languages
28. Have a romantic picnic at a summer jazz in the park concert....**sigh**
29. Buy my Black Malibu Barbie beach house....yessss, the spot for me and my ladies
30. Take a ski trip to the mountains in Aspen, Colorado...want a home there too
31. See, Hug, go out with and devour Tremaine "Trey Songz" Neverson
32. Participate in Amateur Night (LOL yes, that kind) if I can overcome that I can over come anything!!!
33. Have dinner with President and First Lady Obama
34. Visit the Holy land...
35. Kiss my Prince at the top of the Eiffel Tower
36. Wear an engagement and wedding ring from either Harry Winston or Tiffany's
37. Have my bachelorette weekend at the Barbie Suite in Vegas...of course
38. Take a pottery class & decorate my house with my stuff
39. Attend a live taping of an award show...preferrably the Vogue Fashion Awards or the Grammys.
40. Find a way to ship all the FAKE people to PLUTO**
41. Have my hair back at shoulder length by this time next year...NO shorter, NO loner
42. Do my calendar...uh huh
43. Buy two adorable malteses when I move into my own place
44. I used to wanna be an AKA, didn't happen in undergrad BUT.......
45. Visit the pyramids in Egypt
46. Provide my future kids with the best private school education; Bullis, Sidwell Friends, Gtown Prep
47. Taste the Ace of Spades Rose`
48. Try to walk the tight rope...I'd definitely be scared but would prove alot to MYSELF
49. Have an annual retreat with all my college friends
50. Go on a trip abroad alone and experience everything!!!
51. Lose 20lbs
52. Meet Chris Brown...he's such a cutiePie....I'm Team CB
53. Imma hopeless romantic & I want to kiss in the rain
54. Learn to Knit so I can make myself some of those cute winter hats & scarves
55. Finally clear my room of all this useless stuff
56. LOL, have a glass of wine & day out with NeNe from Real Housewives of ATL, my biotch**
57. Ask Kenyon Martin what the hell was he thinking to get Trina's lips tatted on him.
58. Ask GOD if OJ Simpson really killed Nicole & Ron.
59. Probably won't but I want to find out who killed Jon Benet Ramsey, just cause
60. Learn how to make good scrambled eggs, I don't eat them but my husband probably will
61. Find out my family's origin...WTF!!!
62. Be sure about all my friendships....fakes DISGUST me!!
63. Go to an All Star Weekend...a good one, in a fun place
64. Go to my brother's NBA game. NO, he's 15 but i'm claiming his BLESSING!
65. Meet the President of Chanel North America, LOL, my GYN is friends with him
66. Have an 80s themed skate party.....would be legendary!!!
67. Get some cellulite removed....I only have a little but EWWWW, it's annoying
68. Go to my dream concert with; Beyonce, Mariah, Jazmin Sullivan & Chrisette Michele
69. Stay in that ICE hotel...Can't remember where it is but it looks FUN
70. Buy a complete collection of Samuel L. Jackson movies...LOVE HIM**
71. Stay in the Cinderella Suite in the Castle @ Disney World
72. Go to Mardi Gras but I wanna do that before I turn 30
73. Take Rihanna's stylist from her....&
74. ...Have a shoe game a fierce as Sasha's
75. Spend Christmas in New York
76. Grow tremendously in Christ
77. However, I can be a blessing to someone else
78. I WANT TO BE HAPPPY
79. Buy textbooks for kids in poor inner city schools
80. Walk down the streets of SoHo, carrying a Chloe bag & wearing next season's sh**
81. Take a business course under the tutelage of Kimora Lee & Sean Combs
82. Dress as a geisha girl while visiting in Asia
83. Write my own column...the Black Carrie Bradshaw
84. Style Nikki Minaj because she blows my life with her collection of leggings & pink hair
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Learn how to drive a stick shift vehicle
87. Go to a Nascar race...they look fun, can be glamorous too; big hats & sundresses
88. See Harriett Tubman's birthplace
89. I want to try the minx nails....I keep putting it off, people say they peel
90. Learn how to give a killer massage!!!! Great skill to have!
91. Learn how to play the basketball video games, starting with 2K10
92. Before I move out, take a cooking class...PRONTO
93. Ask the Octomom why she STILL wants to have another child...you have 13 kids lady!!
94. Switch places with some guys I know & show them what asses they are sometimes
95. Buy my wedding dress from Kleinfelds in New York....**Say Yes to the Dress**
96. Get the fast food restaurants in my area to give me leftover food for the homeless
97. Get my motorcycle license!!!!!!!!!!!!
98.Hail a NY cab like a real New Yorka
99. Honor the 10 commandments**

Sunday, February 21, 2010

BEVERLY JOHNSON...

NOOO, not Betsey Johnson...BEVERLY Johnson!!

Beverly Johnson was born October 13, 1952 in Buffalo, New York to middle class parents. As a child Beverly participated in Athletics and had dreams of, one day, becoming a lawyer. She pursued those dreams by first working toward a Criminal Justice degree (like moi...LOL) at Northeastern University.

While in college Beverly, after the encouragement of some friends, tried out for modeling and she ended up on the cover of Glamour magazine. It was the first of many covers for the young, beginner model. It was in 1974, however, that Beverly Johnson, would shatter the norm and break barriers by gracing the cover of VOGUE magazine!!! She was the first African American woman to land such a job...thus, paving the way for models that would come later like Tyra Banks, tantrum having Naomi Campbell and the beautiful Selita Ebanks, among others.

After a tremendously successful career as a fashion model, Beverly Johnson has been featured in films such as How To Be A Player and even has her own line of hair weave...that looks fab even though I haven't tried it myself. Beverly Johnson was also named to be one of the MOST influential people of the 20th century which is pretty huge, if you ask me!!! WHO SAYS SUPER MODELS CAN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE??!?!?!?

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Ursula Burns...BLACK WOMEN IN HISTORY**

You may have seen her gracing the cover of a few popular magazines recently and she's on the cover of the current Black Enterprise Magazine....Ursula Burns. She is the FIRST, in 2010, the FIRST African American woman to be named Chief Executive Officer of a Fortune 500 company, Xerox.

Ursula Burns' story is one of a hardworking woman who started from the bottom and worked her way up through perserverance and determination. Burns' has had a long tenure at the Xerox Corporation. She started as a Mechanical Engineer intern in 1980, worked for the company after graduation and over the years, has steadily climbed the ladder toward her current position as the first African American Woman to lead a major United States Corporation.

According to the dailyvoice.com, Burns' has quite the background as well. She is "a graduate of Polytechnic Institute of NYU, holds a master of science degree in mechanical engineering from Columbia University. She serves on several professional and community boards, including American Express, The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, MIT, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the University of Rochester.

More than a corporate "Big Wig" Ursula Burns is also a mom. She has one son and one daughter.

GET IT GIRL!!!!!!!!!!


Love & Basketball.....NBA Wives*

Just recently E Entertainment had a new addition to their True Hollywood Stories specials and it was NBA Wives. The wives of course talked about how they met their rebounding, slam dunking, superstar husbands, their marriage and the pros and cons of being an athlete's wife and in the public eye.

Among the ex/wives that were profiled were the ex wives of Jason Kidd and Dewayne Wade, and avid NBA fan myself, I feel like I got to know a little more about the players and D-Wade's ex-wife was just melting my heart away with her story. She seemed, to me, to be the most genuine, and humble of all the women they interviewed. Had me hatin' D-Wade and his new boo Gabrielle Union....**blah**

I love the NBA, why wouldn't I? It's like the leading employer of the finest, tall, muscular, aggressive black men (lol, i digress) but I guess it helps that I like basketball too....**SIGH**

So anyway, you may have heard of this but Shaq's almost EX-wife Shaunie is supposedly coming out with a VH1 reality show, about noneotherthan NBA WIVES!!! I don't know, what stage the show is in but it was said to supposedly drop at the top of 2010, so we'll soon, I guess.

LOL, supposedly Dwight "Superman" Howard's ex girl is gonna be on the show BUT is prohibited from mentioning him by name or nickname which should be INTERESTING to say the least.

No mention on what wives will actually be on the show besides her, whose not a wife. I actually wanna see this show & hope it does actually drops....maybe we'll see Shaunie, Tawana Iverson, Vanessa Bryant....I'm waiting*

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Mary Jane Patterson...*Black Women in History*

Mary Jane Patterson was born into slavery in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her parents were slaves as well in North Carolina but it was when her dad receive his freedom papers that he decided to move his family out of North Carolina and further up north that Mary's first glimmer of light had shone.
Henry Patterson moved his family to an area that presented more promise and opportunity to them as ex slaves, in Oberlin, Ohio. Oberlin, at the Northern end of the United States, had quite a great number of free blacks and most of them worked, owned businesses and attended school. Oberlin College was a representation of that fact. It had admitted it's firts Black student in 1835 (30 years before the abolishment of slavery), and became the nation's first coeducational institution of higher education. So, it wasn't a wonder when Mary Jane Patterson decided that she'd enroll in some classes at the college.

Oberlin College had two different programs for men and women, and she, Mary Jane Patterson, enrolled in the program for the women. It was a two year program that was designed for each female student to earn a "literary diploma." Not to much surprise, the program for the men was 4years long and lead to a full Bachelor of Arts degree. Mary Jane Patterson, took no prisoners. She completed the requirements for her literary diploma and then enrolled into the Bachelors degree program traditionally for men.

While matriculating through her Bachelor degree studies, Patterson studied Latin, Math, and Greek. In 1862, 3 years before slavery was abolished by the Emancipation Proclamation, Mary Jane Patterson and twenty two other students received their degrees from Oberlin College. Patterson was one of two blacks completing the program and the only woman.

She is held in high regard as the first BLACK WOMAN TO OBTAIN A 4 YEAR DEGREE but that is debateable. She is also the first African American to be promoted to the position of Principal at a high school in the Nation's Capital.

After completing her education, Mary Jane Patterson spent the rest of her life working as an educator in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC.
Patterson died in her home at the age of 54 on September 24, 1894. Her home is now a historical landmark in Washington, DC.

KUDOS to Mary Jane Patterson for her achievements!!!!
She shattered the norm and broke the mold.

Are you a sassy one...

if so and you are in the DMV, checkout SASSY NAILS!!!! This is not your typical nail salon. Sassy Nails takes the nail salon visit to A whole other level especially for those of us in the DMV that seek to relax, be pampered, try something different...Sassy Nails is the DMV's first NAIL BAR offering basic manicures, pedicures, martini pedicures (like the Apple Martini Pedicure), the ultimate in foot and hand massages. DON'T STOP THERE, Sassy's patrons also enjoy facials, massages, pamper parties, and POLE PARTIES in Sassy's PINK LEOPARD LOUNGE & yes, they are a certified MINX nail salon!!!
You can go to Sassy or Sassy will come to you with their mobile services, it's just as easy as making an appointment. Be pampered at your home, in your hotel suite...wherever you choose.
Wanna make it a private affair block a minimum of two hours for yourself and your friends for Sassy's PINK LEOPARD LOUNGE. Relax with candles, bring out your inner sexy on the pole that sits in the middle of the room while listening to music, sipping some wine!!! It's all private in the PINK LEOPARD LOUNGE....get the red carpet treatment, literally!!!

This is the ULTIMATE in Girls Night Out locales for any celebration!!!!!!!

IT's the ultimate BREAK TIME for those that like to be PAMPERED!!! From the red carpet that is rolled out for PINK LEOPARD LOUNGE partyers to after work drinks and mani/pedis with your friends. Sassy has it all, I love this place. You can also checkout Sassy on the go at many of their local events....

I didn't get to personally attend but I heard all great things about their Martinis & Lashes even that took place a few months ago....contact the salon directly for info on upcoming events**

Sassy Nails is owned & operated by 34 year old Misha.
Sassy Nails is apart one of my favorite spots and part of the Young, Black & in Business!!!!!

Christol Salon Spa...

Website: http://www.christolsalonspa.com/
I've been going to Christol Salon Spa for about 2years now and from the very first visit, I was impressed with the professionalism of the stylists, the cleanliness of the shop, and the heightened awareness of what GREAT customer service means!!! Christol Salon Spa (Clinton, MD) is one of two salons owned and operated by Christol Williams, a 25 year old Cosmetologist and entrepreneur. Long gone are the days that you wait FOREVER for your stylist to even prep you, Christol's stylists are punctial, down to earth, professional women who are into HEALTHY hair just as much as they are into styled hair.

Christol Salon Spa can and probably will be your one stop shop for most of your beauty needs like O.P.I nail polish, Bed Head products, and top of the line lip gloss, eyeshadow, liner, skin care products.

My stylists name is Whitney but i've witnessed every lady in there SERVE on the hair front. Each lady has her specialty but EVERYONE can DO EVERYTHING!!!

Not looking to get your hair done but in search of some pampering...visit Christol Salon Spa in Clinton, MD for all your pampering day spa needs. The services offered range from; facials, massages, pedicures, manicures, body wraps, and scrubs.

The part I like the most about Christol's is the customer appreciation. I feel like my business matters to them and they seek to please me and keep me coming back.

The salon is probably the CLEANEST shop i've ever been too....most mornings customers enjoy complimentary refreshments while being serviced (typically pastries or cake and tea, coffee, water). There was even a customer appreciation "exhibit" put on by Christol and her stylists a few months ago.

Customers and spectators were treated to a complimentary buffett, open bar, beauty consultations, and a fashion/hair show....right in the salon to do nothing more and nothing less than to show appreciation to the customers. Birthdays do not go unnoticed either!! Loyal customers receive 10% off their services for their birthday & WE ALL WANT TO LOOK GOOD ON OUR BIRTHDAYS!!!!

Don't take my word for it checkout Christol Salon Spa in Clinton, MD and Salon Christol in Largo, MD!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

UPDATE: NEW HOUSEWIFE....

So, last week, I posted an entry about the ladies of the Real Housewives of Atlanta getting a new addition, Phaedra Parks. If you remember, Phaedra is a CoProducer of BET's Tiny & Toya (season 2 starts in April) and she's an entertainment law powerhouse in Atlanta. At the end of my post I asked if Phaedra is even married. I asked because Bravo has a habit of just putting anybody on those shows sometimes regardless of the title. Anywho, Yes, Phaedra is married. In fact, her beau/husband is an ex con who has done his share of time in prison.

Phaedra's husband name is Apollo Nido and he is currently on parole for one of his past charges, and his spent much of the last decade in behind bars. Who do we think is gonna be the lady replaced by Phaedra? I think it's going to be Kim, she's not married and seems to find herself only with the husbands of OTHER women. Anywho, it's obvious that Bravo seeks and will do nothing short of bringing the drama with the Atlanta ladies....needless to say, I'll be tuned in.....

Young, Black & in Business!!!

I was in the hair salon reading the latest edition of Black Enterprise magazine when I came across their cover article about young, black professionals/entrepreneurs. I thought this would be a cool section to offer on my blog....In this section, I will highlight and profile business whether currently booming or up and coming busineses owned by young, black, professionals and entrepreneurs, especially young 20-somethings like myself. I not only want to profile and write about these businesses I want to support them as well, so if anyone knows of any business that are currently open or coming soon to the DC area, let a blogSis know so I can check them out!!!!

Love day....

How did everyone's Valentines Day go? Mine was good but not because of over the top gifts, gestures. My Valentine's Day was perfect because I spent the entire day with my hunni!! We went to church and practically spent the day with my family because it was my mom and aunt's birthday. Did anybody else do anything interesting? Different? What did my single readers do??? U hope everyone had a good day and took the opportunity to recognize and appreciate all your positive relationships, even the one you have with yourself, it's the most important. With that, I hope everyone's day has been happy and productive....Does anyone have any brand new blog news like new bloggers? New followers? I usually cruise blogger in my spare time and I would love to find new material to read....

Fashion Week: Passion for Fashion...in Color!!!


Its fashion week in New York City so, I had fashion on the brain and I started to think about the first Black designer(s). As I did my research on the internet, I came across a few names but one stuck out more than others, Stephen Burrows. Stephen Burrows is the first African American designer to achieve INTERNATIONAL acclaim!!

Stephen Burrows got his start via his education starting at the Philadelphia Museum College of Art and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. However, the New Jersey native was designing long before then, helping his grandmother sew. After Stephen graduated from F.I.T, he landed a job working for Henri Benel. He worked as a designer at Henri Bendel and one website quoted his work as being "the quintessential fashion expression of the 1970s in a disestablishment sensibility, young nonchalance, and unfailing insistence on looking beautiful." That was said about Stephen in Contemporary Fashion in 1974. On his own work, Stephen said this Contemporary Fashion, "I make colorful adult toys because I think fashion should have a sense of humor, and I want people to be happy in my clothes."

Stephen Burrows clothes are one of a kind pieces that are designed to provoke inspiration, wow, and exude all the fun, playful characteristics of femininity and being a woman. He uses only the finest of materials especially those that the less daring would run away from. His pieces are in a phrase ONE OF A KIND. When asked about his one of a kind pieces, Stephen Burrows has been quoted saying "I have plenty of ideas, I don't have to repeat myself," and I am certainly not mad at that.....I wish more designers were like that.

Stephen Burrows is an award winning, internationally acclaimed designer who is one of a kind in his own right. He has made a tremendous mark in an industry as the pepper in a sea full of salt!!! YAY for Stephen!!!!! LOL**

It's fashion week people....HAVE FUN WITH YOUR FASHION CHOICES THIS WEEK, EXUDE PASSION!!!
Bridget "Biddy" Mason was born August 15, 1818 as a slave. Like many slaves she had little education, if any at all, but became very well known for her skills in midwifery as a result of her knowledge of herbal medicines and midwifery itself.
In 1847, her Biddy's master Robert Smith became a mormon and moved, with his household and slaves (90 people in all), to Utah Territory. On this arduous 2,000-mile trek across the country, Biddy's responsibility was to herd the cattle, prepare meals, act as a midwife, and take care of her own children. (She had three daughters, Ellen, Ann and Harriet, whose father was reputedly Smith.) In 1851, Smith moved everyone again to San Bernardino, California, where Brigham Young was starting another Mormon community. moved, with his household and slaves (90 people in all), to Utah Territory. On this arduous 2,000-mile trek across the country, Biddy's responsibility was to herd the cattle, prepare meals, act as a midwife, and take care of her own children. (She had three daughters, Ellen, Ann and Harriet, whose father was reputedly Smith.) In 1851, Smith moved everyone again to San Bernardino, California, where Brigham Young was starting another Mormon community.
Biddy learned through friends in the African-American Los Angeles community that California had been admitted to the Union in 1850 as a free state; slavery was prohibited. But such slave owners were rarely challenged, and if they were, they rarely lost the case. In the winter of 1855, Smith decided to move once again, to Texas, a slave state. Their departure was interrupted by the Los Angeles sheriff, who served Smith a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of Biddy.
Biddy's daughter Ellen had been dating a free black man, Charles Owens, the son of an esteemed business owner in Los Angeles' African-American community. Charles and his friend Manuel Pepper, who was dating the daughter of another of Smith's slaves, helped Biddy file her petition with the court for her freedom. Since California law at the time prohibited blacks, mulattos and Native Americans from testifying in court, Biddy could not speak on her own behalf, but the judge did meet with her privately to hear her story. Robert Smith did not appear in court so, on January 19 (another source says January 21), 1856, the judge granted Biddy her freedom, as well as that of her three daughters (some sources say all the other slaves of Robert Smith were freed as well).
Biddy moved to Los Angeles, accepting the invitation to live with the Owens family. (Her daughter Ellen later married Charles.) She quickly became well regarded as a nurse and midwife, assisting in hundreds of births to mothers of all races and social classes. A couple sources say she was immediately offered a job after the trial by Dr. John S. Griffin, a Los Angeles doctor who had become interested in the case. What is certain is she soon became financially independent, saving her money and living frugally. Ten years later, in 1866, she bought a house and sizeable property on Spring Street for $250, becoming one of the first black women to own land in Los Angeles. She instructed her children to never abandon it.
In 1884, Biddy sold a parcel of the land for $1500 and built a commercial building with rental spaces on the remaining land. The area ultimately became the central commercial district of Los Angeles. Through continued wise business and real estate decisions, she acquired many parcels of land that, as the town developed, became prime urban lots -- and she accumulated a fortune of almost $300,000. Her grandson, Robert Curry Owens, a real estate developer and politician, was the wealthiest African-American in Los Angeles at one time.
Biddy became known as Grandma Mason -- generously donating money to charities (she would occasionally pay the expenses of both Black and white churchs), visiting prison inmates with gifts and aid, and giving food and shelter to the poor of all races. Needy people often lined up in front of 331 South Spring Street. One source says she also ran an orphanage in her house.
In 1872, Biddy and her son-in-law, Charles Owens, founded and financed the Los Angeles branch of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first black church in Los Angeles. It is now known as 8th and Townes, and is presently housed in a modern building at 2270 South Harvard Street.
Biddy died January 15, 1891, at the age of 73, and was buried in an unmarked grave at Evergreen cemetery in the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles. Nearly a century later, her accomplishments were finally given due respect when a tombstone marked her grave for the first time in a ceremony attended by Mayor Tom Bradley and about 3,000 First A.M.E. Church members, on March 27, 1988. The following year, November 16, 1989, was declared Biddy Mason Day and a memorial of her achievements was erected at the Broadway Spring Center (a parking garage built at the site of her home), between Spring Street and Broadway at Third Street.

First Black Sorority....

Alpha Kappa Alpha is the first greek letter, sorority organization established by and for African American women. The sorority was found January 15, 1908 in Washington, DC on the campus of the historical black college/university Howard University. The sorority was later incorporated January 29, 1913. There were 9 founding members the most famous of which to non-sorority members is Ethel Hedgeman Lyle.
Ethel Hedgeman Lyle was inspired to establish the sorority by the lack of constructive, organizations that promoted service and sisterhood. Her desire was also fueled by her husband's membership in the FIRST greek letter fraternity for African American men, Alpha Phi Alpha. IT wouldn't surprise me to find out that this relationship is the one that would set the mode for the long standing relationship the fraternity and sorority would share in the coming decades....being the first two organizations and all.

To implement her idea, Hedgeman began recruiting interested classmates during the summer of 1907. Eventually, nine women including Hedgeman were instrumental in organizing Alpha Kappa Alpha in fall 1908. With Hedgeman serving as the temporary chairperson, the women wrote the sorority's constitution, devised the motto and favorite colors, and named the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. Later in 1909, seven sophomores expressed interest and were accepted without initiation. The first initiation was held in a wing of Miner Hall on Howard University on February 11, 1909. On May 25, 1909, Alpha Kappa Alpha held the first "Ivy Week", a celebration which included planting ivy at Miner Hall.

Fast forward to today, 102 years later Alpha Kappa Alpha still stands as an influential, intellectual, body of women all of the world seeking to better their communities and make a difference through economic empowerment, SERVICE TO ALL MANKIND, and various programs meant to uplift and empower the family unit as a whole. For more information on Alpha Kappa Alpha visit their website at http://www.aka1908.com/
FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA HAS BEEN FORMALLY INDUCTED AS A MEMBER OF THE PRESTIGIOUS SORORITY among other well known philantropists, intellectuals, celebrities.


Friday, February 12, 2010

Vday...think OUT the box!!!

Love is in the air! It's Valentines weekend and many people are wondering what they should do or get for that special someone!! This is also, formally, my way of reaching out to potential male readers!! It's a known fact that men don't think like us women...so what, guys do you get or do for your lady for Valentines Day??? I've compiled a list below:
  • Sometimes its the thought and you can let her know what she means to you no matter what level your budget is on. Ask her to be your Valentine even if she's your long time girlfriend (we love to be asked that). Try making her a card (yes, from scratch like elementary school), have an indoor picnic, compile a play list of songs that describe your relationship, drink wine, play boardgames and enjoy each other's company.
  • Cook for her....So, you can' afford a romantic dinner at a 5 star restaurant. She probably doesn't even care so prepare a romantic, 5 star dinner at home, in your basement, your dorm, or wherever. Its special because you took the time to plan the meal, prepare it and you have each other all to yourselves with no waiters or lookers on to interrupt you. Talk about what you want, play footsie, wait on her, feed her.
  • For the guy that has a little more $$$ to work with plan a unique evening. Instead of a restaurant schedule a personal chef to cook the two of you dinner at home & if you're a more adventurous couple you could have a "toy" party with just the two of you. You know, try some of the toys, buy some, play a little with each other....it'd make for great foreplay.
  • Send her FLOWERS!!! Some women don't care about flowers, but I for myself and lots of the women I know....WE LOVE THEM!!! Flowers are a great way to say i'm thinking of you, love you, miss you, want you. If you're still pursuing her this may make her slow down the chase. Be unpredictable. Send them to her job, send them for multiple days, send them one by one. Be sure to include a cute/sexy little note with them.
  • Speaking of flowers, if you're budget is sizeable, you're looking to IMPRESS and want her to savor that Valentines Day FOREVER...send her bejeweled roses, REAL ROSES DIPPED IN PLATINUM, GOLD FOR PRESERVATION!!! Real talk these are expensive but if you can then why not???
  • Kidnap her!!! My guy did this one 3years ago and i'm still googly eyed about that one. Kidnap her and take her somewhere special to both of you. Set the mood with soft music, sweet treats, bubbly, and maybe a game or two to tease the sense in which case those erotic dice will come handy.
  • Visit www.theultimaterose.com and get her the most beautiful roses she will probably ever see.
  • HAND WRITE her a love letter and send it to her job, place it in her car, tape it to her bathroom mirror, etc.

My list could go on & on because Valentines Day is one of my FAVORITE days!!!! I wish everyone a very HAPPY & ROMANTIC Valentines Day....hope these suggestions are useful!!!

New Housewife...


My guiltiest tv pleasure is the Real Housewives, ALL THE SEASONS; Orange County, New York, Atlanta, New Jersey and I can't wait to see the rumored Beverly Hills and D.C!!!

Anyway, supposedly the ladies in Atlanta will be getting a new addition to the cast. She is an Entertainment lawyer and her name is Phaedra Parks. I remember her from Tiny & Toya, she was featured on the show and co-produces the show. For months the buzz has been that a new Housewife for the Atlanta series was in the works but we heard names from Tameka Raymond (womp, womp) to Monica and a few others.

Question is: Is Phaedra a WIFE?????

Strength in voice....

In the Black Community the church has long, since slavery, been a safe haven, place of worship, fellowship, and good news (gospel). During slavery, the slaves would often use songs that we now call "old negro spirituals" to communicate or express their feelings. Thus....gospel music is a staple in the black community. It's moving and emotional content tend to speak directly to a people that, in the United States, has experienced the most unique of struggles....Gospel music is bigger than ever and the voices are more popular than ever. One of the greatest gospel singers of all, in my opinion, would have to be Mahalia Jackson.
Mahalia Jacskson was born October 26, 1911 in New Orleans, Lousiana. She was third child of John Jackson and Charity Clark. In 1916, her father sent her to live with her aunt Mahalia "Duke" Paul. Aunt Duke didn't allow secular music in her house, but Mahalia's cousin would sneak in records. Even at a very young age, Mahalia had a booming voice and she would sing hymns and old-time gospel tunes around the house. She attended the McDonough School No. 24 in New Orleans through the eighth grade.
Jackson is viewed by many as the pinnacle of gospel music. Her singing began at the age of four in her church, the Plymouth Rock Baptist Church in New Orleans. Her early style blended the freedom and power of gospel with the stricter style of the Baptist Church.
In 1927, at the age of 16, she moved to Chicago and found work as a domestic. But soon after, she found plenty of work as a soloist at churches and funerals after joining the Greater Salem Baptist Church choir. Her unique contralto voice caught the attention of many small churches from coast to coast. Larger, more formal churches frowned upon her energetic renditions of songs. After performing with the Prince Johnson Singers, she began recording for Decca Records in 1937. When the records did not sell as well as expected, she became a beautician. However, after five years of touring with composer Thomas A. Dorsey at gospel tents and churches, Mahalia's popularity and success garnered her another record contract, this time with Apollo Records, from 1946 to 1954. She then switched to Columbia Records, from 1954 to 1967, where she attained broad recognition as a spiritual singer.
Throughout the 1950s, Mahalia's voice was heard on radio, television and concert halls around the world. Her shows were packed in Europe, and her audience very enthusiastic at the 1957 Newport Jazz Festival, at a special all-gospel program she requested. In 1954, she began hosting her own Sunday night radio show for CBS. She performed on the Ed Sullivan show in 1956 where she catapulted gospel music into America's mainstream. She sang for President Dwight Eisenhower and at John F. Kennedy's inaugural ball in 1960.
From the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott until her death, Mahalia was very prominent in the Civil Rights Movement. Very close with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., she often performed at his rallies--even singing an old slave spiritual before his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at the March on Washington in 1963. She also sang at his funeral five years later.
Despite her doctors ordering her to slow down, Mahalia refused and collapsed while on tour in Munich in 1971. She died of heart failure on January 27, 1972, at her home in Evergreen Park, Illinois.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Bargain Shopping...

I've been ordering alot of books lately because, as you know, one of my resolutions was to read more. Anywho, I don't usually check books out the library because I like to own them and may ReRead them in the future, but I do usually buy them. My favorite place to buy books is from Borders but online for the most part because I love their Borders Rewards program....coupons & discounts are sent ALL the time! So on to the deals....I usually pay retail for my books BUT today I discovered Borders Marketplace. I don't know how many of you knew about Borders Marketplace already but it's just like Ebay, Amazon in that previously owned, used items are sold for significantly cheaper prices. Looking for books, to rebuy old CDs or new ones, or movies....buy them here! I LOVE 90s R&B and they had Monica's Miss Thang album for, get this, $2.06!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know I had to get that because the item was said to be in great condition and the seller had a great reliability rating. Long story short for $36 I purchased a movie, 2 CDs, 2 books. At retail value you can get a CD and A book for $30. It's my new THING....I recommend it highly. Keep in mind I ordered these things today but I will update about the quality of my stuff such as; do the CDs play all the way through, are the books ripped & is the movie the original and in great quality. STAY TUNED.....

MY SHIPPING WAS STANDARD BUT FREE TOO*

So it's DONE...

Well, my part at least of my applying to Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies. I'm still sooo excited about just that, applying. You ladies were very encouraging...THANKS AGAIN!!! I guess when all this snow eases up i'll remind my recommendation writers to send off those forms to expedite the process. This is a major move for me and i've always wanted to be a HOYA...this way I finally will be, at least for a year LOL!!! I said I would keep you all updated on my journey through this process so there goes. All there is to do now is wait. I did have an informational webinar yesterday that excited me even more!!! I have so much confidence that Georgetown is the best choice for me and hopefully they feel the same about me....

So, keep your fingers crossed for me!!!!! I'm hype but trying not to get my hopes all up. Georgetown is at the top of the list for alot of people***

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Date Night.....Remixed

Valentines Day is exactly one week from today, and some of my single friends & associates are "feeling the pressure" so to speak, to have a date for that night,to fill the status quo. If that's not your situation though and you're fabulously single, with no special plans for the night, it doesn't mean your only options are sitting at home with a pint of your favorite ice cream, watching romantic comedy films....Noooooo, you're too fab, too young for that. Listening to my friends, I started thinking of fun things i'd want to do if I were single....and I came up with these ideas:

  • Attend a church service with your girlfriends and a fab brunch afterwards. Have some mimosas, good food and get in some girl talk. I always find that refreshing!!

  • Make reservations for you and some friends at an area restaurant or just go out on a whim and pick a restaurant without reservations. When you get there order fun girly drinks, all the appetizers that catch your eye, have dessert and then head to one of D.C's trendy boutique hotels for a sleepover. Yes, a sleepover, just like when you were 10years old. Have wine, play boardgames, make prank calls, do makeovers, talk, and if you feel like it man bash. Hotels to check out are: Hotel Helix, Hotel Palomar, Aloft....they're all modern, hip and fun. Helix is my personal fave!!

  • SPEED DATING-I know plenty of guys that do not have dates for Valentines Night either. With that in mind go speed dating!!!! You can do this with girlfriends too, go to dinner and then for a round of speed dating. Who knows you may come across someone that you'd want to have drinks with after....DON'T KNOCK IT TIL YOU TRY IT!! Seeing how the movies portray speed dating you may get in a few laughs too....

  • Go on a weekend girlfriends getaway. It can be local or it can be your roadtrip for next weekend since it's a long weekend. Have an impromptu weekend with your girls; spa, dining, shopping, fab hotel!!! I love road trips with my girlfriends***

  • Use Valentines Day to celebrate your friendships-get small trinkets for your friends, write them a note, or card explaining how you appreciate their presence in your life,, make a collage of your pictures together. After all they probably were right there, comforting you after that last jerk broke your heart. Wear red or pink, go out and celebrate each other.
There are no written rules about Valentines Day so write your own and celebrate your femininity, friendships** It's what being a girl is all about....enjoy your day & HAPPY EARLY VALENTINES DAY!!!!!

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Teyana...

So, we saw her on My Super Sweet 16 a couple years back and she, like most of the spoiled teens on the show, slightly annoyed us. I liked Teyana even back then though...idk if it was her Heatherette Dress, wild hair, the skate themed party, but she was likeable and offered something DIFFERENT** She wasn't your typical teen queen crying about designer handbags, boys or $500,000 cars...she was about her skating, making a record and simply being Teyana no matter how different, wild, or awkward we thought she was. Let's not forget she DEFINITELY did the Barbie thing waaay before Nikki....I like her funkiness, wild hair and crazy style. It's young, personal and trademark....

Charlotte Ray....1st Black, female attorney

There aren't really any pictures that one can use, and be sure it's actually a picture of Ms Charlotte E. Ray and little is known about her personal life, but she holds the title of the first African American female Attorney. Charlotte Ray was born in New York. Charlotte's dad was a journalist, Congressional Minister, AntiSlavery Activist, and an active conductor on the Underground Railroad. Ray studied at the Institution for the Education of Colored Youth in Washington, DC and was a teacher at the historic Howard University by 1869, four years after slavery was abolished.
Charlotte Ray studied Commercial Law at Howard University and it was there that she would receive her law degree in February 1872. She was the first woman to graduate from Howard University's School of Law. Also in 1872, Ray was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar making her the first female attorney in Washington, D.C and the first black woman attorney in the nation. As someone pursuing a career in law myself, I have been told the Washington, DC bar in among the hardest in the nation. Kudos to Charlotte Ray for making it!!
Charlotte Ray opened her own law practice in the Nation's Capital but due to racial oppression, she couldn't get enough business and wasn't allowed to practice. She closed her practice and returned to Long Island, New York and worked as a teacher. She met and married a man with the surname of Fraim, and died in Woodside, New York 1911.

Rest In Peace Charlotte Ray

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

The problem here is me...

The picture explains it all, well, my fear at least when I think of me and him and where we are now. My wish is to simply love him and let him love me with no questions asked or ifs, ands or buts clouding my mind of things that happened to others and I fear will happen to us. He loves me, that I do know. He adores me with every bone, breath in him and our love, what we have now, is what I've always wanted from him and now that I have his undivided attention, his affection, love, utmost respect and his heart. I fear that the demons that haunted and destroyed the relationships of others once close to us, will do the same and succeed with us. We aren't the same as those people, our love is much deeper, but our situation is the same....3hrs apart, he's at school, i'm home and well one question is in the back of my head taunting me with every memory we make, smile he puts on my face & that is, WHAT MAKES US SO DIFFERENT??? We lead two different lives now; me in the professional world & him the college life, and we've had our share of hard times too but never, never deceit & that kind of lustful betrayal. I've never had a boyfriend cheat on me and I fear that our love & our situation is in a place to be just like everyone elses was; apart, heartbroken, and alone.

It's not fair to make him pay for things he didn't do and probably will never do but my truth is my fear, that instead of bliss & happily ever after, our smiles, trips, I love you's, and nights cuddling are only the calm before the storm...the beginning of the END**

Monday, February 1, 2010

Talk about the fruit of one's labor...


It is the first day of Black History Month and as promised I am posting one post a week about a worthy African American Woman. The first post is about a woman who truly embodies the fruits of the labor of one body of people. She came from a very modest background, managed to attend and succeed at some of the nation's best school's. Her undergraduate degree was earned from Princeton University and her law degree from Hardvard Law School. She accepted a job at a law firm, where she met and was the boss of her future husband, but stayed true to her desire of using her blessings to give back to the modest community she'd came from and even those not as fortunate as she was even then. This woman is an intellectual, wife, mother, philanthropist, role model, fashion icon and First Lady of the United States!!!!
Michelle Obama embodies everything a First Lady should be. She's smart, poised, respectful, articulate, enthusiastic, strong, active in the political realm and supportive of her husband WITHOUT compromising her feminity and place as his partner, mother to 2 beautiful little girls, and a leader for a population of women whom society has refused to take notice of forever. I love this woman and everything she brings to her title as First Lady. Michelle Obama SERVES professional glam everytime we see her, with makeup, hair, and clothes...her look is carefully manicured to a T....who says you can't be cute, glamorous, and sexy yet conservative as the first lady of the United States???