The Fabulous Giver -

09
Feb
2015

Being My Sister’s Keeper

categories: HIV/AIDS

One in 32 Black women will be diagnosed in her lifetime.

That is a statistic that you hear once and have a hard time letting go of. Saturday was National Black HIV/Awareness Day (NBHAAD) and it inspired lots of conversations about the impact of HIV on the Black community and also discuss how we move forward in the fight against a disease that has impacted our community in such a devastating way.

A few years ago, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that nearly three in five Black people know someone living with HIV or who has passed away from AIDS. This is certainly my experience. Before starting The Red Pump Project, I knew someone living with HIV and I have met many others over the past six years – especially women of all ages.

On Saturday night at fundraiser dinner hosted by our Red Pump Atlanta team, spoken word artist Keisha Pooler performed an incredible piece focused on being our sister’s keeper. In the spirit of her performance and NBHAAD, here are three ways to help all of us fight this epidemic while supporting the women who we love.

Oldie but goodie shot with Deedz (The Sassy Peach) || Photo: Chuckstr Photography

1. Leave the judgment at the door. I realize that this is easier said than done, but it is incredibly important. When we have open and honest dialogue about sexual health and behaviors, we create an environment that allows the women in our lives to ask questions and have deeper conversations about this important topic.

2. Get the facts about HIV – and share with your loved ones. There is so much wrong information floating around about HIV and other STIs. Having the right facts is a big step in the right direction. Start here for some facts about HIV and women.

3. Build up your sister’s self-esteem. Women are at higher risk for emotional and physical abuse and this can put many of us in situations that increase our risk of contracting HIV. Surround yourself with positive networks and look for opportunities to provide this support to other women in your community – especially to girls and young women.

Have any other tips to share?

29
Jan
2015

When Instagram Makes You Cry

categories: Education

I have a lot of favorite Instagram accounts that I follow. However, over the past week or so, I have been glued to the Humans of New York IG account all thanks to one young man named Vidal. A week ago, he was featured on the HONY account and shared how his principal, Ms. Lopez, had influenced his life.

"Who's influenced you the most in your life?" "My principal, Ms. Lopez." "How has she influenced you?" "When we get in trouble, she doesn't suspend us. She calls us to her office and explains to us how society was built down around us. And she tells us that each time somebody fails out of school, a new jail cell gets built. And one time she made every student stand up, one at a time, and she told each one of us that we matter."

A photo posted by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Jan 19, 2015 at 4:20pm PST

Upon reading his post, it was like the entire internet got a case of the feels. “Who is Ms. Lopez?” “I love this story!” “We need more educators like Ms. Lopez!” “What a brilliant young man!” You get the drift. Well, apparently the genius mind behind HONY thought the same thing because he sought out Ms. Lopez and interviewed her. The rest is history…

Brandon (HONY) partnered with Vidal’s school, Mott Hall Bridges Academy, to raise money to send each sixth grade class to Harvard and funds to help support summer programs for students. Within days, over $600,000 was donated via an online fundraiser. As of today, that number is over $1 million – all motivated by Vidal’s story and Ms. Lopez’ passion.

God works in mysterious ways…

A couple days back, I posted the portrait of a young man who described an influential principal in his life by the name of Ms. Lopez. Yesterday I was fortunate to meet Ms. Lopez at her school, Mott Hall Bridges Academy. “This is a neighborhood that doesn’t necessarily expect much from our children, so at Mott Hall Bridges Academy we set our expectations very high. We don’t call the children ‘students,’ we call them ‘scholars.’ Our color is purple. Our scholars wear purple and so do our staff. Because purple is the color of royalty. I want my scholars to know that even if they live in a housing project, they are part of a royal lineage going back to great African kings and queens. They belong to a group of individuals who invented astronomy and math. And they belong to a group of individuals who have endured so much history and still overcome. When you tell people you’re from Brownsville, their face cringes up. But there are children here that need to know that they are expected to succeed.”

A photo posted by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Jan 22, 2015 at 10:04am PST

“…There are children here that need to know that they are expected to succeed.”

*insert more feelings*

If you haven’t been following this series on the Humans of New York page, then you have to check it out. Almost every post has made me teary-eyed, especially the teachers’ stories. Public school teachers often get a bad rap, but we also don’t acknowledge what they go through every day. These posts have opened my eyes to both the challenges and the beauty that accompanies the role of educator. Ms. Lopez and her staff have inspired me in ways that I can not express. In fact, sometimes all I can do is cry. With all of the craziness that our children face, it is a blessing for the scholars at Mont Hall Bridges Academy to have these adults on their side… and in their corner.

However, now their support system has grown exponentially and hundreds of thousands of people are rooting for their success. This is how you truly break the internet.

Brandon, thank you for your always incredible photos.

Ms. Lopez, thank you for inspiring your students and the world.

Vidal, thank you for reminding outsiders that kids from our communities can love school, be motivated by their educators, and, most importantly, make a difference.

I was visiting Vidal today when we remembered that he was going to be making his big newspaper debut in the Daily News. So we ran across the street to the corner store, and sure enough, there we were! Right under the naked women.

A photo posted by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on Jan 25, 2015 at 4:33pm PST

To make a donation to this school, you can check out the fundraising page here.

29
Jan
2015

Pink Kisses from MAC and Miley Cyrus

categories: Beauty, Buy This!, HIV/AIDS

If it were up to me, there would never be another MAC Viva Glam spokesperson beside Rihanna. I have a thing for Rih that blew up once it was announced that she was joining this legendary campaign. However, life must go on, right?

It was recently announced that Miley Cyrus is taking over the throne as the newest ambassador for this charitable line of lipsticks. To be honest, I’m not that big on Miley but I appreciate anyone who lends their brand and support to help raise dollars for the MAC AIDS Fund. Since 1994, the company has raised upwards of $300 million dollars to support those living with HIV/AIDS – exclusively through the sale of these lipsticks. It’s incredible.

Now, about the newest product… It is a bright pink but not as much of a strange pink as Nicki Minaj’s Viva Glam lipstick.

I stopped by my local MAC counter to check out the colors on brown skin, and it wasn’t that bad!

However, I already have Girl About Town and think that’s all the bright pink that I need for now. So, I left the tube at the counter, but picked up a tube of Viva Glam III so that my trip was not in vain.

Both the party-perfect lipstick and lip glass are in stores and online now. To learn more about the amazing work and organizations supported by the MAC AIDS Fund, check out their website. Trust me… You will be impressed.

25
Jan
2015

Views from Miami

categories: HIV/AIDS, KB's Journey

Over the past two months, I’ve had the pleasure to travel to Miami twice for work. Escaping the Chicago winter for sun and sand is always a good idea however, my trips to Miami provided me with much more than bronzed skin. For over a year, I have been working on putting together a plan for my company to celebrate and connect with those over the age of 50 who are living with HIV. Why this age group? Well, half of people living with HIV will be over the age of 50 in 2015.

My trips to Miami were essentially the culmination of all of that work. In December, I met the lovely ladies behind the incredible Graying of AIDS oral histories project. I joined them as they spent two days photographing and interviewing Miami residents who made the decision to join our campaign and tell their stories. When I returned last weekend, I had a chance to view the exhibit that our entire team worked to bring to life. Against the most gorgeous blue sky, we unveiled the beautiful and powerful Well Beyond HIV photo installation on a beautiful terrace facing the ocean.

For the participants, it was an incredible day. A day filled with triumph, celebration, and reflection for all those who have been living with HIV/AIDS for many years. For me, the day served as a reminder of my purpose and of what can happen when you follow your instinct.

I did a lot of reflection during both trips. I thought about how I could continue to influence my company, even as we undergo a significant transformation. I thought about how I strengthen my legacy with The Red Pump Project and our work around women and girls HIV/AIDS awareness. Most importantly, I just thought about balance. There is so much that I want to accomplish in this life, but I’m only one person. Balance is something that I struggle with (because Libra), so I always feel like my life needs to be recalibrated.

During last weekend’s trip, it was important for me to not only be focused on work, but to also take some time to smell the roses (or taste the mojito). What good is it to be the best and the brightest if you’re stressed and burned out? That’s not how I want my life to play out. I want my efforts to be significant, meaningful, and effective. I don’t need to be the star but I do plan to make big things happen.

I’m ready.

P.S. This campaign launch was #5 on my January to-do list. CHECK!

05
Jan
2015

New Year Wishes and To-Dos

categories: KB's Journey

Happy New Year! I know that we are a few days into 2015, but this blog post kind of makes it official for me. I’ve been spending the past few days basking in the new energy that a new year brings, and making more impactful and actionable plans. I want to steer my energy into specific buckets to make sure that I am efficient, effective, and not wasting energy in areas that don’t matter – at least not in this particular season. For me, there are five themes in which I want to see a drastic improvement. I’ve categorized them as “wishes” and listed them below.

This year, I wish…

… to reconnect with friends and family and reestablish all the love and laughter that I missed in 2014.

… to strengthen my faith through service and giving.

… to be a better wife/stepmother and continue to build the best foundation for our family.

… to be fearless in the pursuit of new business and career opportunities.

… to find a way to impact youth in my community through mentorship and career exploration.

Everything that I want to do and everything that I want to be really connects back to the five core statements listed above. As I meditated on my wishes, I reminded myself of the importance of setting goals and making to-do lists. I need to visualize what success looks like and be intentional about achieving it. To help me get started, I decided to make my first monthly checklist and share with you all. I got this idea from a post on Mattieologie, and definitely think this is something that I need to make a habit of doing.

Is this everything on my January to-do list? Ha! Absolutely not. Do they perfectly align with my themes? Not 100%. However, these are some of the key things that I want to get done this month. I still have my weekly to-do lists which I divide up into four categories (home, personal, career, and passion) where I really tackle the nitty gritty of my life. I’ll blog about that another time!

So, now that we are five days into the new year, what are you focusing your efforts on and how do you plan to turn your wishes into realities? Let’s keep each other motivated!

Background Image: Pinterest

14
Dec
2014

Gifts That Give Back Under $50

categories: Gifts That Give Back

Happy Sunday! We’re in the home stretch now for holiday shopping, especially if you’re planning to purchase items online. In my second gift guide, you will find items that folks ranging from foodies to techies will love. My favorites? The Giving Keys sweatshirt and the LSTN wooden headphones. Check out the roundup below.

1. This book is what happens when celeb chefs unite for children, $26

2. A must-have item for the resident do-gooder in your crew, $50

3. Of course charity:water designed a cool wooden phone case, $35

4. How about pairing these winter mugs with a hot cocoa kit, $48

5. These six lip colors help support the MAC AIDS Fund, $40

6. Smell good and do good with this perfume from Clinique, $38

7. Give the gift of snuggle with a cute throw, $30

8. A little pop of color in the home is always a good thing, $38

9. These chocolates are almost too pretty to eat (almost), $30

10. Zebra wood headphones make a great gifts for music lovers, $50

P.S. Looking for charitable gifts under $25? Here you go.

11
Dec
2014

Gifts That Give Back Under $25

categories: Gifts That Give Back

Happy Holidays, everyone! With two weeks until Christmas, we are deep into gift-giving season. Every year, I come across gifts that give back, but I’ve never compiled an official gift guide. That ends today (obviously). I’ve compiled three guides designed to meet various budget needs.

First up, gifts under $25.

1. The cutest moccasins for your favorite little one, $21

2. A little ankara makes this tee perfect, $18

3. Gold leather earrings perfect for a night out, $24

4. This handmade teensy beanie makes a great baby gift, $23

5. Kiehl’s is giving its famous crème the “Norman Rockwell” treatment, $18

6. May your note cards be merry and bright, $12

7. “Build your tomorrow” with a little arm candy, $15

8. Give these cool pencils and support Kenyan children’s education, $10

9. EOS and Nicole by OPI bring you the best stocking stuffer, $10

10. These unique coasters support Haitian artisans, $20

The UNICEF note cards are my favorite for sure. See anything on this list that you like? The next two guides are on their way. Stay tuned!

21
Nov
2014

Roasted Veggies: The Easiest (and Most Colorful) Side Dish EVER

categories: KB's Journey, Not Necessarily Charity

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, friendsgiving, and potlucks. Lots and lots of potlucks. Every year, it seems that the number of potluck events increase. I’m not complaining because it gives me a great excuse to catch up with friends and co-workers. However, I always get a little anxiety while deciding what to make for these events. I’m usually up against some really talented cooks and I want my dish to be able to hold its own. Not that it’s a competition or anything

Yesterday, my co-workers planned a pre-Thanksgiving celebration and I decided to bring roasted veggies. Guys, this might be the easiest side dish of all times and it is delicious. For my recipe, I used broccoli, sweet potatoes, carrots, red onions, and red bell peppers. Below are the super easy steps for pulling it all together.

1. Wash and cut vegetables before placing in a large bowl.

So many colors!

2. Toss with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and Montreal Steak seasoning. (Thanks to The Pioneer Woman for the heads up!)

Veggies after a little oil and seasoning

3. Place the veggies in a single layer on a thin baking pan. Broil on a high setting for 15-20 minutes. (Tip: Watch the broccoli to make sure it doesn’t brown too fast).

One of the pans that I used

4. Remove the veggies and transfer into a serving dish.

Fresh out of the oven. Suh-woon.

Voila. Done and done!

Isn’t that easy? Aside from potlucks, this is also a great dish to make for community service projects, like preparing meals at a soup kitchen or for families at the Ronald McDonald House. Just remember to buy enough veggies!

If you are not crazy about vegetables, I’ve rounded up some other great recipes that I have tried (and loved) that you can take to your next event.

Sweet Honey & Jalapeño Corn Muffins

Charred Skillet Corn with Bacon

Bacon-Wrapped Green Bean Bundles

Salted Caramel Rice Krispies Squares

Cheesy Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Garlic Smashed Potatoes

I am always looking for new recipes to master, so please feel free to share your suggestions in the comments. What’s your favorite go-to dish for potlucks and get togethers?

19
Nov
2014

Is a Birchbox Subscription Worth It?

categories: Beauty, HIV/AIDS

Subscription services are apparently the cat’s meow. From shoes to clothing and even dinner ingredients, you can pretty much get anything delivered on your doorstep every month. One of the first companies that I heard of doing this was Birchbox, a beauty-focused box. While intrigued, I never pulled the trigger.

Fast forward to last week.

While scrolling through my Instagram feed, I see that (RED) and Birchbox have teamed up for a limited edition December box in recognition of World AIDS Day. I don’t know if it was the packaging or the fact that I would be doing good, but I have been debating whether or not to sign up for Birchbox now. In full disclosure, I am not a product junkie and my monthly spoils might just end up in my linen closet.

If I subscribe by 11/30, then I can still receive this limited edition box and begin my own little beauty journey. That gives me less than two weeks to decide. So, I would love your opinion. Do you have a Birchbox subscription? Do you love it? Do you think that it is worth it?

Help!

Photo: Facebook

17
Nov
2014

TOMS for Target In Stores Now!

categories: Gifts That Give Back, Shop for A Cause

Last year, Target brought us the charitable collaboration with FEED Projects. This year, everyone’s favorite retailer has partnered with the original “One-for-One” social enterprise to bring us the TOMS for Target collection. There are more than 50 items in the holiday collection, all under $50. I know that we’re all used to TOMS footwear, but there are also items like candles, blankets, and accessories for all.

The TOMS for Target collection has the potential to provide more than 11 million meals, blankets and shoes to those in need. Every purchase of clothing, accessory and home good purchase will lead to a donation of a blanket through the American Red Cross or Canadian Red Cross, or one week of meals through Feeding America or Food Banks Canada. And for every TOMS for Target pair of shoes sold, a pair will go to a child in need.

Take a look at some of my favorite items from the collection below. You can view all of the items here and head to your nearest Tarjay to get your hands on the goods.