A couple of weekends ago, I had a chance to be a part of something truly amazing. My friend, Josh Mercer, held a girls’ sports and empowerment clinic through his Swish Dreams Educational Foundation at a school in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. From the second that I walked through the door, I feel the energy and excitement buzzing in through the place. Josh has been running a series of successful clinics for a few years [...]
“I’m dedicating this one to my favorite girl…” – R. Kelly My sister has always been a passionate little person. In fact, we often called her the “Militant Midget.” Word to Good Times. When she puts her mind to something, you can pretty much consider it set in stone. So, a couple of weeks ago, when she told me about her newest project…her baby, I knew that she was onto something great. That day, she [...]
Paper cuts are one of the most frustrating things to happen to mankind. But, I would run my fingers through 100 sheets of loose-leaf paper just to rock a Cynthia Rowley-designed Band-Aid. The designer has brought her bold and lively designs to the staid worl of first-aid products and I think it’s one of the coolest collaborations. Twenty assorted bandages are housed in metal tins ($10) and one dollar from the sale of each tin [...]
Last year, I decided that I wanted to start doing meetups that combined service with delicious food. I planned the first “A Little Service, A Little Brunch” to happen last summer, but rescheduled because Red Pump was participating in Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade. Can you believe that it has taken me almost an entire year to plan the rain check? *sigh* Anyways, here are the details! On Saturday, May 1st, I’m asking my Chicago friends [...]
Last week in reaction to the Derrion Albert killing and other violence in Chicago, I blogged about getting involved with our youth and the need to recognize community organizations leading the fight. While trying to think of my first spotlight, my mind immediately went to a story that I read in the Chicago Weekly about The Dreamcatcher Foundation. This organization was started by Stephanie Daniels and Brenda Myers-Powell, two Chicago-based survivors of the sex trade [...]
As a proud Chicagoan, an African-American, a future mother, and a human, I had a very strong reaction to the news about the killing of Derrion Albert, a 16-year old honors student from Chicago. What happened to Derrion was tragic, but sadly this is the kind of violence that more and more of our teens both here in the city and across the country are faced with. And, it’s not just the gang members and [...]
When I was in high school, I did a research paper on the horrors of Female Genital Mutilation. Young African girls (as young as 9) are sometimes subjected to the act as a right of passage. The gruesome act not only inflicts pain on the girls at that momemt, but as they grow up, there are often many complications and infections from the procedure. Jessica Censotti, a Chicago artist, is using her artwork to raise [...]
The Boys and Girls Club of Chicago (BGCC) serves over 13,000 children and teens across the city of Chicago in after-school programs and summer camps. Children and parents have access to 32 clubs across the city. Organizations like these are so important because children need safe play havens to learn, socialize, and just be young! On Friday, August 7th, the Good Glam Gala will combine fashion, shopping and philanthropy as the event raised money for [...]
We all have something in our closets that we should consider giving away. You know which item that I’m talking about! If you’re in DC, then consider bringing your stash to Fashion Fights Poverty‘s ReUse: 2009 Fashion Swap. This event will give you the chance to do one of the following: Consign Your Former Favorites w/Current Boutique Swap for “New to You” Fashions Donate Directly to Covenant House Washington The fashion swap will take place [...]
In keeping right along with my “Summer of Service” theme, here’s an opportunity to help prepare teenagers and young adults for career opportunities. Jobs for Youth is a Chicago nonprofit that provides workshops and development opportunities at no cost to participants. This summer, JFY has plenty of opportunities for volunteers to assist students with mock interviews and one-on-one workshops, such as Resume Writing. Volunteers can get trained to teach classroom workshops on networking and internet [...]
