Category Archives: Surprise Appearances and Speaking Engagements

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

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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.

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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.

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Fun was had by all.

 

 

 

 

 

Misty Copeland Visits Local Boys & Girls Club

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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

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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

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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.