Bridal Bliss: Shawn and Eric Roberson

Bride: Shawn Martha Renee Roberson, 33
Groom: Eric Roberson, 35

Occupations: Eric, R&B artist and songwriter; Shawn, strategic planning executive
Homebase: New Jersey

Wedding Date: August 10, 2008

Wedding Location: Pennsylvania

Sweet Melody: Eric Roberson met his wife, Shawn Martha Renee Roberson, through a mutual friend after one of his shows. The two shared very similar paths but had never met. Each of their families hails from North Carolina and they are both Howard University alums. "She told me she bought my first album, "Esoteric," and told me it was amazing," recalls Eric with a laugh. "All I kept thinking was, Oh yeah, tell me more."


Continue reading here

The Philosophy Of Life, Liberty and Property

Thanks to Moorish Brooklyn Intelligence

Toronto woman flown back from Mexico dies

A critically ill Toronto woman who was brought back to Canada after suffering a severe asthma attack and cardiac arrest while on vacation in Mexico has died.

Victoria George-Pazzano, 29, died Tuesday night at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, her husband Dylan Pazzano confirmed to CBC News. Source

Wendy Luhabe - Chairwoman of Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa

Luhabe is one of the co-founders of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (WIPHOLD), a private equity investment fund. WIPHOLD is unique in its nature in that it gave poor South African women the opportunity to invest in some of South Africa's largest companies.

“I have always been involved in the empowerment of women,” Luhabe explained to the class. “WIPHOLD made it possible to give these women more visibility and take power of their own financial independence. It encouraged a group of women to get involved in economic opportunities and become more active in the South African economy.” Read full article here.

Why Michelle Obama inspires women around the globe

Heather Ferreira works in the slums of Mumbai, India, where she has watched thousands of women live under a "curse."

The women she meets in the squalid streets where "Slumdog Millionaire" was filmed are often treated with contempt, she says. They're considered ugly if their skin and hair are too dark. They are deemed "cursed" if they only have daughters. Many would-be mothers even abort their children if they learn they're female.

Yet lately she says Indian women are getting another message from the emergence of another woman thousands of miles away. This woman has dark skin and hair. She walks next to her husband in public, not behind. And she has two daughters. But no one calls her cursed. They call her Michelle Obama, the first lady.

"She could be a new face for India," says Ferreira, program officer for an HIV-prevention program run by World Vision, an international humanitarian group. "She shows women that it's OK to have dark skin and to not have a son. She's quite real to us."

Those who focus on Michelle Obama's impact on America are underestimating her reach. The first lady is inspiring women of around the globe to look at themselves, and America, in fresh ways. Continue reading here

Limited Edition Superbly Restorative Body Lotion

Best known for her eccentric style and cerebral music, is an award winning American soul singer and songwriter, whose sound – a connection of soul, hip hop and jazz – can’t be contained to a single genre. The Texas native, who prides herself on being a “mother first,” is a touring artist, teacher, community activist, holistic healer, vegan, recycler, and conscious spirit. Committed to children, Badu gives back to her hometown through Beautiful Love Incoprorated Non Profit Development (B.L.I.N.D), a charity organization she created to provide community driven development for inner-city youth. Badu’s Kiehl’s label, created in collaborated with famed artist and poster designer EMEK, depicts the artist in an idealistic environmental sanctuary where beauty, peace, nature and music intersect.

Kiehl’s Connection: The Limited Edition Label Art series of Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion will donate 100% of net Kiehl’s proceeds
to the Waterkeeper Alliance.

Source: Chic Chocolate

Toronto woman on life support returns from Mexico

Victoria George-Pazzano is home.

The 29-year-old Toronto woman, who has been on life-support in a Mexican hospital since suffering a severe asthma attack a week ago, arrived in Toronto in an air ambulance a little before 11 a.m. today.

George-Pazzano is being taken to the Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

She is still in a critical condition and on life support, said a family member earlier today. Continue reading here

Sanitize,Sanitize,Sanitize !

4 in 1 disenfecting wipes. great for cleaning your work station at work.
Anti Bacterial foam sanitizer, great for travelling and small enough to fit in your purse.

And of course always wash your hands.

I see people all the time who do not sanitize properly, and it can and will pass on germs.

Fati Asibelua - MOMO

Leading luxury African label Momo has been seen on some of the world’s most renowned models including Alek Wek, Liya Kebede, and Oluchi and has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most influential, exclusive and sought after fashion brands.

Momo originated in 2000 as a fabric boutique creating visually striking patterns influenced by African culture. Today, the company has grown into a brand specialising in fabrics, high-end fashion, fashion accessories and a home collection of lifestyle products, and currently employs over 200 staff with offices and stores based in Abuja, Nigeria. Due to the increasing demand for the collections and interest in African talent, Momo is developing its expansion plans to launch into new international territories.

The face behind Momo is Fati Asibelua, an incredible yet modest talent. Having studied fashion at the Institute Marangoni in London and completed a Masters in Fashion Styling at Institute Marangoni, Milan as well as schooling at the prestigious City University London, her international educational background, infused with the influence of her African homeland culture, gives her an exciting and fresh global view on fashion.

Click here to view her website

Critically ill Canadian denied re-entry from Mexico

The family of a Canadian woman who fell critically ill due to a severe asthma attack in Mexico says that health officials in Canada are refusing her a hospital bed in Toronto because of unfounded swine flu fears.

Victoria George, 29, has been on life support in a Cancun hospital since Wednesday. Her mother says that her insurance provider has been repeatedly told there are no intensive care unit beds available for her to be transferred to in the Greater Toronto Area.

"Doctors in Mexico told (Victoria's) husband, 'She has no symptoms or pathologies of the swine flu-virus and she never did: her condition is a direct result of her asthma,'" Pauline George told CTV.ca in a telephone interview late Sunday evening. Continue reading here.

Look of The Day

Sanaa Lathan looking lovely in red and white pearls.

Look of The Day

Teyana is too cute :)

source

Nubian Class Opens for the First Time

In April 2009, TDSB Continuing Education launched the city's first Nubian language and culture class for elementary students. The class, part of International Languages and African Heritage Elementary Programs, is offered on Saturday mornings at Dr. Marion Hilliard Senior Public School in Toronto's east end. This partnership between the TDSB and the Nubian community is historic. The last time the Nubian language was officially taught with the backing of a government was in 1504.

Nubia is the homeland of one of Africa's earliest civilizations with a history tracing back many thousands of years. The Nubians are an ethnic group originally from northern Sudan area. Many are now settled in the East and Northeast parts of Africa including southern Egypt. The Nubian language is a central feature of modern Nubian identity.

City Councillor Adam Giambrone and Trustee Shaun Chen joined students, staff and members of the Nubian community at an opening celebration on Saturday, April 4. See photos above. source

Epsy Campbell Barr

Epsy Campbell Barr is a Costa Rican politician and economist. One of the founders of the Partido Acción Ciudadana, she has announced her intention of becoming the next candidate of her party, for the Costa Rica national elections in 2010.

She is named after her grandmother (her father's mother), who migrated from Jamaica to the Costa Rican Caribbean coast with her husband. Epsy Campbell Barr was born in San Jose (in the Maternidad Carit) in 1963, whilst her parents Shirley Barr Aird and Luis Campbell Patterson were living in San Francisco de Dos Ríos. She is the fourth child of a family of five daughters and two sons.

Continue reading here

Thanks to Moorish Brooklyn Intelligence

Marie-Thérèse Houphouët-Boigny

Marie-Thérèse Houphouët-Boigny (born 1931) was the First Lady of the Ivory Coast from 1960 to 1993. Her husband was Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the first President of Côte d'Ivoire.

She was one of six children, and was educated and living in France where she met Félix Houphouët-Boigny, some 25 years older than her and then married.

Houphouët-Boigny caught the eye of the media as a woman of beauty and grace after a 1962 visit to the Kennedy White House, and was dubbed "Africa's Jackie" by a starstruck media.

In 1987, while still First Lady, she founded the N'Daya International Foundation, dedicated to improving the health, welfare, and education of children in Africa. As the Foundation's president, she lead numerous projects in support of children.

In 1990, she helped create and produce a cartoon, Kimboo, to offer cartoon heroes to African children. source

Suno Fall/Winter 2009

Max Osterweis for Suno

Suno's Spring/Summer 09 Collection is a beautiful mix of vibrant colours and prints. Each piece is produced in Kenya by Kenyan artisans in small shops based on designs originating in New York. Available at Opening Ceremony in NYC and LA.

Suno New York

Georgie Baddiel Arise May 2009

Related Articles: Arise May 2009 Cover

Source

Look of The Day

Beyonce in NYC

Playwright Lynn Nottage wins Pulitzer Prize

Stories of race and gender prevailed at this year's Pulitzer Prizes, with "Ruined," Lynn Nottage's harrowing tale of survival set against the backdrop of an African civil war, winning for drama Monday and books about slavery, civil rights and Andrew Jackson also receiving awards.

In a rare victory for the short story, Elizabeth Strout's "Olive Kitteridge," a collection set in New England and linked by the forthright title character, a math teacher and general scold with an understanding heart. It was the first book of short stories to win since 2000 (Jhumpa Lahiri's "Interpreter of Maladies").

Three prize winners centered on racial history, from colonial times to the 20th century.

The general nonfiction award went to "Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II" by Douglas A. Blackmon, Atlanta bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal. Newsweek editor Jon Meacham won the biography prize for "American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House," a best-seller about the populist president whose sympathy for the less fortunate never extended to slaves. Continue reading here

Earth Day Resolutions For Everyone

•Eco-Friendly Fashionista
•Laundry
•Say No To Plastic!
•Mood Lighting Your Garden
•Lawn Care
•For The Car

Kurtis Watkins

"Ownership means following your dreams, and owning your calling. Ownership means never settling for less, and owning your greatness. Ownership means taking the initiative, and owning your actions.

And this is what I offer with every Watkins – the opportunity to own an idea, a passion, a tangible connection with an extraordinary work of art.

I personally welcome you to secure your Ownership of the most celebrated visual artist of our time, Kurtis Darryl Watkins."

Click here to view his site .

Myspace Page

Baby Boy for Jill Scott

A rep for the Grammy Award winning neo-soul singer (and star of 'The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency') confirmed to The BV Newswire that she delivered her son April 20.

Weighing in at 7 lbs 8 oz and 20 iJill Scottnches long, the baby was born at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon. The 36-year-old Philadelphia native was due to give birth April 25. This is the first child for the popular singer and her fiancé Lil John Roberts. Source

African First Ladies Discuss Healthcare, Poverty At Summit

The African First Ladies’ Health Summit is underway in Los Angeles, California. It will wrap up tomorrow. The summit has brought together first ladies from a number of African countries to address healthcare and girls’ education. It was organized by two non-profit groups, the US doctors for Africa and Africa synergy against aids and suffering. The latter was formed by 22 African first ladies in 2002 in Yaoundé Cameroon to fight against HIV/AIDS and other social challenges the Africa continent faces. Continue reading here

Fashion for Peace 2009

Following the huge success of Fashion for Peace 2008 and motivated by the overwhelmingly positive response, FAFA is proud to present Fashion for Peace 2009, a glamorous event which will bring together some of Africa’s top fashion designers and models.

The sit-down gala dinner and fashion show will take place in a magical tent set-up under the stars in the Nairobi National Park on 25 April 2009.

The fashion show will be supported by other creative events such as musical performances as well as a Designer Master classes which will provide an exchange forum to look at innovative ways of developing African fashion and having it further penetrate worldwide markets.

Funds raised support the Alternatives to Violence Project, building non-violence skills and helping people process recent events in affected communities around Kenya. Source

Links

Dambiso Moyo, A Woman You Should Know

Wo/Man Enough.

Between"Mammy" and "Miss Ann"; The Problem with Michelle


Child Pornography Epidemic

Enter the "Women Driving Progress" Contest and You Could win a 2010 Ford Fusion

All you have to do is submit a 200-word essay telling us how you would be the perfect candidate to meet with an empowerment coach specializing in either: health; finance or career. Submit your entries to www.essence.com/drivingprogress. Three finalists will receive a trip to the ESSENCE Music Festival to meet with their particular coach, and one will win the Grand Prize – the 2010 FORD FUSION. All finalists will be featured in ESSENCE magazine and ESSENCE.com!

Click here to enter contest.

Marc Madness

The “MARC MADNESS” SALE. 7 new designs (featured below)for the 40 @ 40 t-shirt collection. You can choose any 6 designs to be placed on 6 t-shirts – all for $50!! T-shirts are white and available in XL and XXL, men’s sizes only. Sorry ladies! Those fitted tee’s aren’t available for this collection at the moment, but stay tuned! If you would like to know more about this great deal, please contact Mark by email at kurupt@rogers.com or call me at (416) 727-6247.

Much love, respect

http://www.kurupt.com/

The Picture Perfect Movie

The Story: In what seems like a perfect life, three beautiful women who are pushing thirty make bold attempts to change their lives even when destiny plays its joke on them. With a marriage that seems almost doomed from the beginning, to an affair with an unlikely candidate and the endless pursuit of love, three friends will learn the harsh lessons of life, the challenges of marriage, the fatality of falling in love and the rewards of having a good laugh in the mist of sorrow.

The perfect picture offers a colorful and humorous insight into a world where everything is as perfect as your life and that of your friends. Click here to view trailer

Study shows Jamaican girls encounter violent sexual relationships

A survey on sexual violence in Jamaica has found that as much as 49 per cent of girls aged 15-17 have experienced sexual coercion or violence.

The study, published in last month's issue of the International Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, also shows that a significant number of these girls were either persuaded or forced to participate in their first sexual experience. Continue reading here

Hidden kingdom of the Afro-Bolivians

It is in one of these green valleys that the symbolic "hidden kingdom" of the Afro-Bolivians is located. If you listen hard enough you can hear the drums.

"I am the king," Julio Bonifaz Pinedo proudly says, standing next to his wife Angelica, an Afro-Bolivian woman dressed in the traditional Andean outfit of bowler hat, multi-layered skirt and shawl.

"It is an immense responsibility because I have to work very hard for my people, my poor people, and we have no means." Continue reading here

Look of The Day

Zoe Saldana