The trafficking of girls in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate. It's an epidemic we must stop right now. Join me, the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls and women who are on the forefront of fighting Human Trafficking in California for an open and honest discussion that could save the life of someone you love.
Every year, in the month of July, my family and I take a trip overseas for my birthday. (I'm a Cancer - July 11th). This year, we chose Israel and it was one of the most spiritual and educational trips we have ever taken.
For this girl, who was raised Catholic, this journey brought the Bible to life. We walked the Via Dolorosa - the street that is believed to be that which Jesus walked on the way to the Crucifixion. We prayed at the Western Wall, went to the Upper Room where Jesus had the Last Supper and touched the Calvary Rock where is it said the Cross was mounted.
We went Bethlehem, in Palestine, to the Church of the Nativity, where they have a shrine at the place where Christ was born, the manger and the tomb where is it believed he died and was Resurrected.
We went to the Jordan River where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
We began this trip with an Olive branch. Jerusalem's olive trees are some of the oldest in the world - some dating back 900 years. The trees in the Jerusalem garden are believed to be the place where Jesus prayed before the Crucifixion.
It was an incredible experience.
I had the distinct pleasure of presenting an award to a dear friend of mine this past weekend. I have known Manuela Testolini for over 13 years. She started a nonprofit called, In a Perfect World, that supports programs for underserved youth around the world. IAPW has built schools in countries like Haiti and Malawi.
Manuela was presented with the Women of Excellence Award from The Ladylike Foundation her for work and she asked me to present the award to her. Her beautiful little daughter, Lucia, who is the Junior Ambassador for IAPW, joined Mom onstage for the honor.
It was such a special evening! We hosted the Detroit launch of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls and honored two very special women. On the right is Pamela Alexander of the Ford Motor Company Fund. Pamela received the MAGNOLIA Award for Outstanding Philanthropic Partner. She has been instrumental in our ability to host the Human Trafficking symposiums to teach girls to avoid being a victim of trafficking.
On the left is Shannon Brandt of Alternatives for Girls. She received the MAGNOLIA Award for "Unsung Hero". Shannon is one of the first friendly faces a woman sees after she is rescued from a human trafficking situation. Shannon has tirelessly worked with women and young girls to help them recover from the atrocities of trafficking and get them on the road to independence.
Congratulations to both of you ladies!
The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls supports small, grassroots nonprofits that empower girls in the area of (S)TEM, (H)EALTH, (A)RTS, (U)NITY and (N)EIGHBORHOODS.
Spending the day celebrating the birthday of my dear friend, Simone Smith, who has been such a great supporter of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls. It was a beautiful brunch with so many friends like Mary J Blige and Sheree Fletcher.
Very honored to receive the Champion for Girls Award by Girls Inc. alongside Secretary Hillary Clinton.
It's a snapshot that I won't soon forget. I had interviewed Hillary Clinton in the past so, being in her presence wasn't something that I had never experienced. But, this time was different. Our country was different. And, both she and I were different. This was the first time she was giving a speech since the election and it was before the Girls Inc. audience that had gathered for their annual NY fundraiser. I, as an honoree for Girls Inc. for my philanthropic work with girls, got to be one of the lucky ones to take a picture with her backstage before she went on. There we were, both in our red, for just a moment. She told me to keep up the "good fight" and I told her that she inspired me to do so. It was just a moment but, one that I will remember forever.
The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls spoke to a very powerful group of young ladies. They were born between November 9, 1998 and November 3, 2002 which means they were not old enough to vote in this last Presidential election but, they will be for the next. Here's what's on the mind of the #NextGirlVoter.
So very honored to receive a grant from the Ford Motor Company Fund. Ford has been such a huge supporter of the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls. NAACP President Cornell William Brooks and Ford Motor Company's Angela Polk presented the check. With this money, we can do so much work to empower girls and young women around the country! After the ceremony, we had an amazing symposium with the NAACP on diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.
This is one of the most incredible pictures taken during yesterday's Women's March that had participation around the world. City Hall was lit up in pink as thousands in San Francisco gathered to champion women's rights.
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is "What are you doing for others?""
I am laying here in bed in the first quiet waking hours of the New Year thinking about what I want to accomplish over the next 365 days. Last night, my sister-in-law, Carolyn - who is visiting from Atlanta - and I spent a praised-filled night at church - a place I always go to ring in the New Year. I tend not to go to NYE parties - there is so much pressure for midnight to be just perfect. The snapshot of what you did when the clock struck 12 will forever be etched in history - for better or worse. In church, it’s all about, not only the night but, your entire life and it never disappoints. The service is uplifting and my church is like a party itself: our Bishop always has an incredible message that leaves me so inspired. Our choir and musical guests make you feel as though you have been to a concert - we get up and dance and right after we count down to the New Year, the congregation breaks out in a “step” in the aisles. I always leave in a great mood and and ready to take on the New Year.
Last night, when we got to church, you could tell the general feeling among people was a little subdued. There seemed to be a general consensus that 2016 had been, for various reasons, a rough one for many. And, from the conversations with those around me, it seemed like there wasn’t much hope for 2017 to be much better. When the choir sang, “It’s Gonna Be Alright”, it touched many in a particularly emotional way.
Then, came the message and, as always, our Bishop was right on point. He talked about hope and being of service to others. Everyone was given a small brown paper bag that was printed with the words: "Serve With Gladness".
Inside was a long card that gave you ideas on what you could put in the bag that would help others:
- A Blessing Bag: add toiletries, non-perishable snacks and give to someone living on the street.
- Gift Cards: Bless a Neighbor, co-worker or complete stranger with a gift card from Starbucks, Target, Vons, etc.
- Shoes That Fit: Is your closet busting over with shoes? Donate a pair to someone in need
- Date Night: Know a young couple with children? Give the the gift of a quiet night out, without kids.
- Gift the Word - Even in the age of electronic bibles and phone apps, someone can be blessed by their very own print Bible
- Just What the Doctor Ordered: Take a senior citizen to their appointment or take them to get their prescriptions
The message of the night was clear: 2017 is about being of service to those who are less fortunate. And, when you live outside of yourself to make the world a better place, HOPE springs eternal. Happy New Year!
The S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls is very excited to announce a new partnership with Techbridge Girls - a nonprofit that introduces girls in underserved school districts to STEM fields - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These fields have an enormous underrepresentation of females. Girls who are lucky enough to get into a Techbridge Girls program, learn how to write code, build robots, fix circuits, construct websites and so much more! you can learn more about their program at TechbridgeGirls.org!
