Category Archives: Surprise Appearances and Speaking Engagements

Woman Crush Wednesday | Kelly Rowland Plays Big Sis at Boys & Girls Club Atlanta

kbb1

Just when you think the Godiva Goddess (aka Kelly Rowland) can’t get any sweeter she plays big sis to 30 or 40 kids from Boys & Girls Club Atlanta.

The “Chasing Destiny” star-lite teamed up with allergy reliever Claritin (a staple in my purse this time of year) to host the outdoor event yesterday, according to YBF.

kkb10

As Claritin’s celeb ambassador she talked to the kids about chasing their dreams and challenging themselves to go above and beyond whatever they choose to pursue. Check out a clip of Kellz motivational message below.

 

The goal of Kelly’s partnership with Claritin is to help restore various outdoor areas for three Boys and Girls Clubs in communities most in need. Starting with A.T.L’s Westside Boys and Girls Club location—Salvation Army BGCA Bellwood Club.

Before the hammer and power drills come pictures, splits and one-on-one convos with the Grammy award-winning chanteuse, who was all to happy to accommodate her young stans.

kkb4

kkb5

kkb7

kkb9

Fun was had by all.

 

 

 

 

 

Misty Copeland Visits Local Boys & Girls Club

mistycopelandbgc

Misty Copeland–the first Black principal dancer of ABT, in case y’all forgot–surprised some lucky  boys and girls at the Suncor Boys & Girls Club this week.  She was there for a tour of the soon-to-be opened Commerce City, Colorado facility.

According to The Denver Post, the club boasts a tech lab, teen room, art center and kitchen where kids can cook meals.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs are giving so many children an opportunity to dream bigger than what their communities may offer  for them or what their  family situations may be,” Misty says. ” I’m definitely proof of that.”

Misty started dancing at her hometown Boys & Girls Club at 13.

Now she’s watching 12 and-13-year-olds dance in front of her, CBS reports. The iconic dancer rounded out the visit by putting a personal note to future club members into a time capsule.

Always a class act.

Marcus Samuelsson and Don Lemon Host Charleston AME Church Fundraiser

marcussamWant to feed both your stomach and conscience today? Stop by Ginny’s Supper Club in Harlem. The soul food spot is holding an all day fundraiser to benefit families of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC.

Famed chef Marcus Samuelsson, of Red Rooster Harlem, will be burning pots to make the Southern buffet ($30 minimum donation) lunch and three course dinner ($75 donation required) even more worthwhile.

Reverend Calvin Butts of Abyssinian Baptist Church will team up with Reverend Michael Walrond of First Corinithian Baptist Church to host the fundraiser. And both church choirs will provide gospel music to eat with.

CNN’s Don Lemon is also part of the fundraiser’s host committee.

To buy tickets to the Harlem Helps fundraiser click here

Money raised from the lunch and dinner will go to victims families of the Charleston church shooting.

If You Blinked Woman Crush | Lupita’s Homecoming

lupita

Lupita Nyong’o made the sojourn to her homeland of Kenya this week. All in the name of preserving the real-life “Dumbo’s” of her country from poaching. The Academy-Award winner was named the global ambassador for the Wild Aid org that protects against endangered animals.

Elephants (sadly) are on that list because of their ivory tusks. Poachers kill the gentle giants, illegally I might add, to strip them of their ivory then sell them to the highest bidder.

elfiselfie

Lupita is using her newfound fame to put a stop to elephants extinction, any creative way (the pic above is an #elfiselfie) she can.

During a press conference, Lupita described the time spent studying the animal’s habits and their value. She shared, elephants would likely live 65 to 75 years if not for being poached and their economic networth is set at $1 million tourism dollars.

Hear Lupita’s full press conference statement 

“I learned, currently, an elephant is being poached every 15 minutes. 15 Minutes. Every 15 minutes another dollar is lost. That’s $96 million dollars a day.”

Now that we know the scale of the problem the “12 Years a Slave” star recommends supporting local elephant advocacy orgs that campaign against poaching. And influence govt officials–mainly in Asia and the US where ivory tusks are sold–to do more to protect elephants.

“Join me in putting your love for this beautiful, gentle animal into sustainable action.”

If Lupita’s words don’t convince you maybe the hilarious elephant compilation video below will.

Elephants lives matter, y’all.

If You Blinked Woman Crush | Pursuit of Haiti

angelahaiti

Angela Simmons–Rev Run’s daughter–nixed R&R for public service while vacationing in Haiti this week.

In between getting outdoor massages, modeling local designers two-piece creations and hiking, Angie made time to visit Mission of Grace orphanage. Twice.  And was instantly attached to  a little boy named Michael that didn’t want to leave her hip. Awwww.

angiemichael

Angie also visited Mission of Hope that reportedly feeds 90,000 Haitian kids daily.

“I felt really connected to the children. They actually remembered me from the day before. But I was happy I could come and share my love again,” Angela writes on Instagram, where she’s documenting her trip.

Angela Simmons is our woman crush for nurturing needy children and spotlighting an often overlooked place in the world. Even when it’s newsworthy.

Angie isn’t the only one that loves the kids. ‘Power’ star Naturi Naughton paid a visit to her alma mater: East Orange Campus High School to share with the kiddies how to make power moves.

naturieastorangehigh

Just don’t go Tasha and Ghost’s route, kids. Just say no.

Learning from the Beauties! Keke Palmer & Alicia Quarles School Youth

kekepalmeraliciaquarles

What does Cinderella and an E! news reporter have in common? Secrets to success.

Keke Palmer and E! News’ Alicia Quarles (who got Raven-Symone to admit she’s from every continent in Africa, ‘memba that?) talked to 60 handpicked NYC high school kids at MTV.

The kick it with Keke session was part of an on-going cycle of celeb talks from Get Schooled, a non-profit org motivating students to stay in school by recruiting “influencers” aka our fave celebs to instruct them to keep their heads in the books.

Keke was no different. She told the teens–awarded the event for motivating their younger classmates to stay on the academic fast track–to stay focused on their goals just as much as they do their Instagram pages.

“You’re reality is what’s around you. We get so caught up in Instagram and social media you forget about life around you.”

No one will forget Keke’s breakout solo.

Or, her demonstration on the evolution of twerking. Don’t take notes on that one kiddies.

But, you can quote red-carpet maven Alicia Quarles when she advised networking as the method to get ahead.

“One piece I learned was to network and to keep in contact with the people you meet.”

I hope you guys got business cards. I would…

Beyonce Makes Humanitarian Mission to Haiti

beyoncehaiti

Beyonce took a break from flaunting her street style in the big apple to making a surprise visit to Haiti today.

According to VIBE, Beyonce is aiding the United Nations in a humanitarian mission. Likely a well-deserved one given that the impoverished Caribbean country is still rallying from that massive 7.0 earthquake in 2010.

A United Nations report found that 70% of Haitians don’t have working electricity,
more than half a million don’t have a steady supply of food and 172,000 are still living in temporary displacement camps set up five years ago.

But not to fear, Queen Bey is there. Well… for one day, at least.

Sporting her BEY GOOD tee (Beyonce’s charity org) she gave out food, water and other much-needed resources. Beyonce even lent a hand to sick natives battling a cholera epidemic.

This isnt the first time Beyonce worked with the UN. In 2012, she gave a very soulful presentation at UN headquarters for World Humanitarian Day.

See how she blew the roof off the iconic place with her visual version of “I Was Here” below.

The Robin Hood Project Comes to Ferguson | Full Audio of Prince’s ‘Baltimore’ Song

Look ma, no hands. The Game and McDonald's workers in Ferguson. Image Courtesy: LOS ANGELES CONFIDENTIAL instagram

Look ma, no hands. The Game and McDonald’s workers in Ferguson.
Image Courtesy: LOS ANGELES CONFIDENTIAL instagram

He’s at it again. But instead of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, The Game is digging into his own pockets to share the wealth.

The Compton rapper has revived his Robin Hood Project; giving away $1 million to random people he’s come in contact with for a year. Recently, the reality star/rapper and his merry men took a  trip to Ferguson, Missouri to pay tribute to Mike Brown. The unarmed college kid that was gunned down by police last year. He met up with Mike Brown’s grandmother and visited the slain teen’s memorial.

Then wrangled up some local kids to take to Mickey D’s. He not only gave out 100 Happy Meals (which came up to $1000, if you’re curious) to kids in the fast food joint and at the drive thru, but he helped in the kitchen.

Kudos to The Game for showing Ferguson some love.

Like Prince did in B’more on Saturday. Guys, he answered the call to sing the song and that he did. Below is the full audio from the “Rally 4 Peace” concert.

“If there ain’t no justice/ There ain’t no peace…” I’m already brainwashed.

Prince was also joined by Doug E. Fresh and Miguel. B’more sounds like the place to be Saturday.

E! News’ Terrence J Donates to Alma Mater | RHOA’s Claudia Jordan Gives Anti-bullying Speech

This frat's stepping was so slammin' Terrence J pulled out 100 Gs. How is that for gratitude? Image Source: iamterrencej Instagram

This frat’s stepping was so slammin’ Terrence J pulled out 100 Gs. How is that for gratitude?
Image Source: iamterrencej Instagram

E! News must be doing Terrence J good. The sometimes actor/model turned E! News host plopped down $100 Gs to his alma mater–North Carolina A&T State University.

In exchange, the Journalism and Mass Communication dept. declared April 24th will forever be ‘Terrence J Day’ on the Greensboro, North Carolina campus. Cool. Wonder if that includes a master key…

Not sure, but it definitely warranted some encouraging words from the guest of honor for the soon-to-be graduating class: “don’t follow your dreams, chase them.”

On Terrence’s Instagram page, he shared the $100,000 endowment check was payback for the school taking a chance on him when no one else did. In four years, he graduated with a 3.6 GPA, became student body president and Omega Psi Phi fraternity member.

This is step 1 in doing more, not just at my school but for communities around the country where young people feel forgotten and unheard. I don’t have all the answers-FAR from it. But my goal is to inspire others to give back-in any way-just as I’ve been inspired to do the same.

When I was 17 the world felt cold and lonely. But I didn’t need handcuffs- I needed a hand. Thanks to all that have helped me on my path.

Amen. Amen. Amen. Let the church say amen.

In keeping with the empowering youth theme, Real Housewives of Atlanta star and radio personality Claudia Jordan visited North Clayton Middle School yesterday to talk about the dangers of bullying.

Interesting topic given the antics that go on on her reality show, or even the reunion for that matter.

Nonetheless, this is what the newest housewife said at the #BullyingIsNotHot event hosted by her radio station:

“I want to encourage you all to be responsible. You never know how your one comment may push someone over the top. You never know what someone is going through.”

Very true. Let’s hope the message is echoed to the other housewives because actions always speak louder than words. And you know kids watch those actions like an on-duty crossing guard observes cars.

Kevin Hart Offers College Scholarships | NE-YO is Principal for the Day

Photo Credit: Forbes Magazine

Photo Credit: Forbes Magazine

Funnyman Kevin Hart is serious about the higher learning experience. So much so the “Get Hard” actor has teamed up with “your mind is a terrible thing to waste” crew, better known as United Negro College Fund, to reward four students with college scholarships.

The $50,000 scholarship will go to four deserving high school students of Kevin’s choosing. According to Campus Lately, the lucky seniors all happen to be from Philly. It is the city of brotherly love, after all…oh, and it’s also where Kevin hails from. (color that coincidental!)

Kevin said it’s just desserts for the kids hard work, and it’s a much better investment than making it rain over a stripper’s pole.

This is me stepping up to the plate and saying what you’re doing is dope. You’re dope. You’ve got the opportunity to be the dopest of all dopetivity. My money went to a much much more useful cause I guess you would say than what I would have been doing with it at a strip club.

No, in all seriousness, congrats to all the worthy scholars. You can watch them get rewarded on “An Evening of Starts” on BET April 26th.

Who sang it better? NE-Yo or Ang? Photo Credit: Neyo Instagram

Who sang it better? NE-Yo or Ang?
Photo Credit: Neyo Instagram

NE-YO deserves a pat on the back too. The “Non-Fiction” crooner was brave enough to step into the shoes of a high school principal. (Better him than me.) For one day, NE-YO led the pack at High School of Fashion Industries in New York City.

Lending a hand was The Breakfast Club’s Angela Yee, who interviewed the singer in front of an auditorium of teens.

The day kicked off with NE-YO chatting with students in an exclusive meetup. The upstarts–student ambassadors–got access to the platinum singer when they led their school to victory in the Capital One Bank NYC College Challenge. The competition is to get as many teen leaders or ambassadors to motivate their classmates on the path to college. Mission accomplished for High School of Fashion Industries; they got over 1,000 students active on this topic.

Which definitely deserves a NE-YO sing-a-long:

Along with a Q&A session headlined by Angela Yee. NE-YO dropped some knowledge on what it takes to be a success. (Hint: Persistence, Persistence, Persistence)

It took me 12 years to get to the beginning. A lot of people are going to tell you ‘no.’ As opposed to talking to people, you have to show them.

He’s not lying.

Topping off the teens best day ever was a lip sync battle where the kids unleashed their performing talents.

Keep up the good work, kiddos.