Category Archives: Women Crush Wednesday

WCW | Rihanna Named Global Ambassador To Foster Education

 

story_wide-1474877224

Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Citizen, with Rihanna and Global Partnership for Education (GPE) chair, Julia Gillard

This may be the cherry on top of Rihanna’s sweet year of accollades.

Someone grab the cake, cake, cake, cake, cake to celebrate. Sorry, couldn’t resist.

The navy’s idol was appointed Global Ambassador through a partnership with her Clara Lionel Foundation and Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

The blending of the two orgs is to advocate for the billions of children across the globe without an education. And the 330 million kids enrolled in a school, but still aren’t learning.

So, how will Rihanna and her crew combat this?

GPE operates in more than 60 developing countries, spreading their message that “every child receive a quality education.” By making children living in poor or ravished communities a priority.

As GPE’s Global Ambassador, Rih Rih will travel the globe to encourage world leaders and policy makers to get behind educating vulnerable children raised in communities in crisis.

The announcement comes on the heels of Rihanna headlining the Global Citizen Festival on Saturday. The festival’s goal is to end extreme poverity by 2030 by getting people to participate in charity acts.

Rihanna is indeed a rare diamond.

WCW | Miss USA Deshauna Barber Takes Part in Girls’ Mentoring Camp

kelz_06-1474505499604

Straighten your crown, girls. I know it’s bound to be crooked with the lack of recognition and value given to you.

Luckily, there is someone to teach you how–Miss USA Deshauna Barber.

The country’s royal highness/ lieutenant in U.S. Army Reserves paid a visit to Steve Harvey’s mentoring camp for girls last weekend in Atlanta.

Deshauna held a panel discussion with Marjorie Harvey (Steve Harvey’s wife) and Brandi Harvey (and daughter.) Followed by a Q &A with some of the 100 teenagers at the camp.

She may have even whipped the youg’uns in shape, during their 5 am wake up workouts. Hoo-rah, indeed.

 

The Girls Who Rule The World camp was also filled with makeovers, ziplining and rock climbing. All the activities fearless females do.

Check below for Deshauna’s take on what how to be a girl that rules the world.

 

The GWRW camp was launched–through the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation– “to fostering excellence in youth. Cultivating the next generation of responsible leaders.”

Let’s keep those crowns straight, girls

 

WCW | Zendaya’s Birthday Wish to Empower Women

zendaya-birthday

K.C. Undercover’s Zendaya celebrated the big 2-0 Thursday. First she commemorated the milestone by (duh!) taking a selfie declaring herself “a woman.”

View this post on Instagram

A woman.

A post shared by Zendaya (@zendaya) on

 

Then the Spider-Man: Homecoming star does what she does best–direct the spotlight to a cause that needs it.

Zendaya’s birthday wish is to raise $50,000 to Convoy of Hope’s–“a faith-based non-profit that provides food, water, emergency supplies and opportunities to people in need around the globe”–women empowerment initiative that  gives job training and education to women in  Ethiopia, Tanzania, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Philippines.

Below is what the future Nobel Peace Prize winner wrote on the Convoy of Hope’s donor page:

“For my birthday this year, please join me in supporting strong, beautiful and dignified women around the world. Your gift of any amount will make a positive difference in the lives of these amazing ladies. So, let’s do this!”

So far, $3,433 has been raised to make sure women continue to run the world.

 

Last year, Zendaya used her 19th birthday to raise $52,858 for orphaned children in South Africa.

Another year older, but Z is light years in the wise department.

 

Black Girl Magic! Sacramento Girl’s Good Deed Program

At 10 years old I was a Girl Scout drop out–don’t ask. And I would purposely smear glue on my hands just to peel it off. Hey, dont give me that judgey look. You did it too. Admit it.

But never once in my pre-teen years did making the world kinder, gentler and more patient enter my thought bubble. All those guilty of being a jaded New Yorker before 16 raise your hand *raising both hands.*

Thankfully 10-year-old Leah Nelson, of Sacramento, is more proactive about spreading good karma nationwide. FOX 40’s report–on the persistent Cali gal convincing strangers to do a random good deed for a stranger–went viral this week.

Unlike similar stories Leah’s “Becuz I Care” program involves a keepsake. Sorta. When a perfect stranger accepts her mission of “universal kindness” they receive a handmade bracelet with this note:  “Because I care is a program that can go all around the country. All you have to do is start with a few bracelets. Then whenever you do something nice for someone (i.e. buy their coffee at Starbucks, or pay them a compliment) you give them a bracelet, and pass down this message: In a world with so many issues, let’s just show other people that they are valued.”

Thanks to Fox (there’s a sentence never thought I’d write.) Leah’s message has gone global–she’s getting responses from England.

becuzicare11leah

The junior social advocate even threw  a bracelet making party yesterday to keep up with demands.

I never thought it was going to get this big,” Leah said Tuesday evening while she and several friends got together for a bracelet-making party to meet increasing demand.

“I think because there are many issues in the world…it really brightens peoples’ days to hear that there’s still some kind things, good things, going on in the world,” she added.

Go ‘head and sprinkle that brown skinned goodness, girl.

To help the cause please click here.

 

 

IYB Woman Crush | Woman Creates Safe Haven for Baltimore Kids

4890361_1433947223.5716_funddescription

In case you haven’t noticed, news outta B-more has gone from bad to worse this week with one of the cops, who had a hand in Freddie Gray’s murder, was cleared of charges. Yes, yet another one. Lost count? Good thing they are.

Unfortunately no one is keeping a tally on how this is affecting kids and their ability to…I don’t know…be like normal young’uns. Luckily Erika Alston carved out such a safe haven for 100 neighborhood kids between ages 5 to 17.

CBS Evening News reports Alston revamped an old laudromat into an after-school rec center– Penn North Kids Safe Zone, a few days after the riots sparked by Freddie Gray’s murder.

“The whole world got to see our children standing face-to-face with officers, and throwing rocks, and they didn’t have another outlet. We’ve created that outlet.”

The Kids Safe Zone includes homework help, peer support, field trips and a range of recreational activities–from Xbox video games to sports teams–for kids to escape.

cache_4097045114

Funding for Safe Zone comes from the state (Maryland’s governor donated $50G’s for the computer lab) and private donations. The center got a big boost when Alicia Keys made a surprise visit in November. Soon after A&E Network donated $30,000, followed by $10,000 from Kaiser-Permenete.

Say it loud: More safe zones and less jail cells. To donate to Ericka’s Safe Zone click here.

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Women Crush Wednesday | FLOTUS’ Empowering Message

11421959_257802971217504_1448509511_n

FLOTUS Michelle Obama promoted her girls education initiative–Girl Rising–at SXSW today. And brought her girl squad to join in on a panel discussion about the #62milliongirls around the globe without an education.

Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Sophia Bush and songwriter Diane Warren chopped it up with Mrs Obama  at the music fest–over the importance of using their names for this worthy cause. As well as how music can have an influence on knocking down hurdles related to girls education.

flotusmo

Missy Elliott, Zendaya, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Rowland, Janelle Monae, Lea Michelle and Chloe and Halle lent their voices to “This is for my girls” track. Check out the uptempo track below.

 

“This is for my girls” track is featured on iTunes and iHeartradio. All download funds will go towards the Girl Rising charity, which works with local community to take action in getting girls educated. Whether that includes having a bake sale to raise funds for the charity or convincing a teacher to make use of the initiative’s teaching plan. All roads lead to young women preparing themselves for the future. A bright one, if Mrs. O has anything to do with it.

Oh, for the haters thinking FLOTUS will slow down once she lives D.C. Here’s her take.

“I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. You think your 40s are good? 50s are phenomenal! And I plan to go into my 60s blazing.”

Don’t believe her? Just watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wise Women Wednesday | Ciara and Viola Davis Inspire Students Here and Abroad

violadavis

On the tail-end of Black History Month (we had an extra day this year!) Viola Davis paid a visit to Brown University to talk about her life growing up the daughter of an alcoholic father, the neighbor they’d refer to as “ugly, black n****r” and rising to be the first African American to nab an Emmy for lead actress in a TV show.

The “HTGAWM” star shared how her vision changed after being bit by the acting bug. Courtesy of Cicely Tyson’s inspiring portrayal of “…Miss Jane Pittman”

Having a goal enlarged her perspective and possibilities. Viola encouraged the packed auditorium of students to follow her lead.

It’s the passion that catapults you out. It’s the dreaming so big that you can’t even think about your circumstances anymore.

The Central Falls, RI native and two-time Tony winner concluded the hour-long lecture challenging the Ivy Leaguers to ponder their own lasting legacy.

What is it that you could leave on this Earth that could live far past you?

Heavy words.

But we’re not done spreading black girl magic just yet.

ciara

Ciara was in Niageria recently, filming her latest music video. No doubt adopting some of the local choreography.

 

In between stopping traffic with her dance moves, she dropped in on Ilado community and Akande Dahunsi junior high schools. They showed their appreciation by serenading with her “I Got You.”

 

The model/singer returned the favor by giving hugs, taking selfies and motivating the kiddies with an inspiring chant.

 

Remember each one, teach one.

 

Woman Crush Wednesday | Karrueche Visits Sick Children in Haiti

qkae2-1

Karrueche Tran left a pining Chris Brown (check out his latest LP “F**k You Back to Sleep (Remix)” begging for a reconciliation) in the States to visit sick children in Haiti on Monday.

Karrueche, joined by  Brotherly Love actor Quincy Brown, teamed up with Smile Train, an international children’s org that helps provide cleft lip and palette surgery.

 

Karrueche shadowed the docs and staff of Smile Train, and of course, met the adorb kiddos that were parked on her and Quincy’s lap.

Quincy_SmileTrain2

KarruecheTran_SmileTrain

“Real Housewives of New York” star Kristen Taekman and Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan also joined in on the fun. Which included taking selfies with the kiddies and getting decked out in scrubs to watch a cleft lip surgery.

scrubbingupkarrueche

Watching kiddies get their smile back firsthand or Chris Brown date night?

 

Hands down.

 

Woman Crush Wednesday | Beyonce Starts Flint Kids Fund

beyonceflint

Queen Bey has officially got our attention. As if you could ignore her Black power themed Super Bowl 50 performance. Or Mrs Carter’s Flawless call for ‘Formation’ in her latest video.

The Bey swarm is in full effect this week. In between preparing for another world tour (y’all get your tickets?) and dropping another surprise album–Any day now. Any day now–she started a fund for Flint, Michigan kids affected by the water crisis.

Through Beyonce’s charity BeyGOOD, she’s partnering with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint to “create a fund that will address long-term developmental, education, nutrition and health needs of the children affected by the Flint water crisis,” Live Nation released in a statement.

The BeyGOOD initiative will also continue its support of United Way. Just laser focus it on United Way of Genesee County, in helping to distribute water filters and bottled water to those in Flint.

Last week Jay Z made headlines for donating $1.5 million to a variety of Black Lives Matter orgs and social justice groups. The money was raised through a Barclay’s Center concert in October–featuring Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, Usher and Damian Marley.

Cementing their place as the power couple of the world.