Location: Organization of American States Building, Washington D.C

Purpose: To raise funds to benefit the Lifting As We Climb Foundation and the Vernon and Vontae Davis Family Foundation. www.liftingasweclimb.com

Produced by: Sonje’ Productions

Siraaj Hasan, Lifting As We Climb Foundation President

Thank You Sardi’s Catering

Thank You Bertucci Dupont Circle

Thank You Haute Cupcakes

Thank You Mixology

Silent Auction

Thank You Wizards

Thank You Bartenura

San Francisco 49er Vernon Davis

Savoy Ellington Orchestra

Edward Ellington Jr. and April Ellington

Mistress of Ceremony, FOX 5 Allison Seymour

Thank you Booz Allen

Sound mind, Sound body student, Anthony Wright

 Quadrant Inc., Corporate Partner Honoree

Founders of LAWCF

Leonard Powell, Dr. Robert J. Cummings Humanitarian Award Honoree

Location: Marriott Waterfront Hotel, Baltimore, MD

Honorees: 

Raymond V. Haysbert Award recipient – Hassan Murphy

David M. Sampson Corporate Award- Cordish Companies

Rising Star Award Recipient- Andrea Jackson

Whitney M. Young 2012 Award Recipients: 

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings- Blake, City of Baltimore

Andrew Bertamini- Regional President of Wells Fargo

Larry Young- WOLB Radio Host

Produced by: Sonje’ Productions

Alex Barron, Regional Director of Walmart, and wife; J. Howard Henderson, GBUL President; and me.

Our Master of Ceremony, Doni Glover.

Hassan Murphy

Andrea Jackson and GBLA President, Eric White.

Cordish Companies

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Andrew Bertamini

Larry Young

Sinbad did a great job!

Qream invades new boutique Lovelace Toujours for the day….

Owners Kyra and Dara were as cute as ever.

Pretty n’ Pink Cupcakes of course.

DJ Angelbaby spinning! Such a cutie.

Time to start pouring

Qream lovers

Time for some shopping too. Great finds!

Capturing the Qream moment…

Krissy from Salon Rache was getting her shop on.

Love me some Qream…

My Qream Queens!

Got crunk real quick…

Kyra enjoying her Qream cupcake..

Fab Empire came through and got to pouring….:)

Great times! Make sure you check out their boutique at 1201 Light Street!! Support each other!

It had been 30 years since I had step foot back on my homeland of Guyana. Many people may not know where Guyana is, often confusing it with Ghana in Africa, when I mention the name. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and it borders Venezuela, Suriname, and Brazil. It is below sea level so there are no beaches, just 80% of untouched rainforest.

After stepping off that 5.5 hour flight, I was curious to see and discover my heritage and culture. My parents and grand parents had talked of what Guyana use to be but because of political reasons they migrated to America for a better life. Growing up in Queens, little subcultures were only glimpses of what Guyana really was; a country of 6 different races mixed all together through their food, music, and people.

Walking the chaotic streets surrounding Starbroek Market, with horns continuously blowing and aggressive vendors pitching their products, you see beautiful exotic brown people hustling for a dollar. Even though it can all be confusing and hectic, it still gives a visitor an idea of what everyday life was for the common working folk. It showed the state of poverty of the country but it also showed the inner hustle of the average person to put food on their family’s table. No one seemed unhappy, they had just adjusted to the circumstances.

Next stop was the house I grew up in New Town, which is a neighborhood in Georgetown, Guyana. It didn’t jog many memories but it definitely touched a nerve because remnants of my family were still present in the neighborhood, like a bridge named after my great-uncle, Cecil Hinds. I was proud that we were still a part of Georgetown even though many years have passed.

We then decided to tap into our adventurous side and go to the rainforest. There is beautiful resort called Arrow Point which is located in the “interior” of Guyana. It is run by the native Amerindians in the area and you are able to partake in kayaking, cycling, fishing and swimming in the creek.

Being at Arrow Point was definitely a highlight of my homecoming. The guides, the service, and experience was a starch contrast to the bustling city. It was serene and the best place for anyone who is a nature lover.

A week was definitely not enough time to take in all the culture, food, and towns of Guyana, but it was just enough for the moment. It allowed  me to better understand my mother, my father, my great-grandmother, and my upbringing. There were certain values and morals that were instilled in me which has conflicted sometimes with society. I still carry those with me and now understand the place it derived. I understand why my parents left and why it was important for them to want to provide more for their one daughter at that time. Guyana has changed because of politics and other derivatives but it is still a place of beautiful people with a rich culture. I was happy I was able to take the journey to appreciate my family history and see pieces of me still very much part of Guyana.

DJ P. Chris-Happy Birthday!!!!

Certified Fly Guy in the building

                                                                           DJ Adore

DATE: Sunday February 12, 2012

Place: Mirage Night Club

Event: Pharrell Williams new liqueur, Qream, debuts at THE SHOW.  Also Happy Birthday, Evan!

Photog: Paul Greene

I’m proud to announce that I am the new Social Ambassador of Maryland for Qream with a Q. February 9th marked the official launch dinner of Qream, which is a liqueur created by Pharrell Williams. He came to Diageo with the concept of creating a drink for all the beautiful, sexy, sophisticated women of today. Each detail of packaging and taste was to complement the elegance of women. Of course, men also enjoy this spirit because of its smooth taste. It comes in two delicious flavors- Strawberry and Peach.

The Qream dinner was to give some of the socialites and taste makers of Baltimore a chance to sample and enjoy all that Qream offers. I want to thank TATU Baltimore for creating a beautiful ambiance and having excellent food. Also a personal thanks to Paul Greene for all the amazing pictures you are about to see. Welcome QREAM to Maryland…..

My new Lova....

Tatu Baltimore

Strawberry Qream

Ashley Silva (Super Gorge), Lana Rae (KIS Models), Jenn Allen (Reliable Churchill)

Bob Ingram (Uptown Magazine)

Marcy Crump (Flywire)

Larissa is such a cutie

Lovely ladies for Qream

Kristin getting fly

Loreal (SuperGorge)

Lana Rae from (KIS Models) and Daniel Parsons (Certified Guy)

Bob Ingram (Uptown Magazine)

Frank Johnson and Loreal from SuperGorge

Qream Queens

Mrs. Rawlings and Amanda

Ms. Paula Campbell

Brandi Proctor for FOX 45

Vixxen Salon Owner-Nee Nee

We'll drink to that.....

Azikewe (Mirage Baltimore/E4GP)

Everyone has been asking me: “What is your New Year resolution?” When asked, I didn’t really have an answer. I think I stopped committing to frivolous resolutions and started committing more to concrete personal goals. Usually I start out with a list of things that I want to get accomplished, some of which that could be completed within the year, others a lot longer; however, I am always keeping a growing tab of things that will develop me personally.

This year two people influenced my New Year goals – Arianna Huffington and Sean Parker. Two very different people, but each of their stories sparked my interest. A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited  to a women’s conference where Ms. Huffington was the guest speaker. I have seen Arianna on the news many times but her personal story that day struck a chord with me. It was a story of overcoming fear. Fear is something that always holds us back; whether it is a fear of love, failure, rejection, or success. We doubt if we have the capability to love someone right, handle the success, be accepted for who we really are, or not having our vision or dreams be understood by our peers. So in turn, we doubt. Then that doubt turns into deferred dreams because most don’t have the courage to say f-the world, I am here to do what I was put in this world to do. Arianna spoke from an ex-US woman’s perspective and of all of the doubters, including herself.  She overcame them all to establish the forum sensation- The Huffington Post.

Most of the women in that banquet room felt her message was right on time. However, I knew very few of the women in that room understood her message of overcoming doubters of competency from the perspective of gender AND race.  It causes you to question whether you can really prove all of the stereotypes wrong…

So, this year I decided to personally develop my courage to do things out of the box. Socialize and network with people who I normally wouldn’t, do things I normally don’t to push my own limits.

And that brings me to Mr. Sean Parker…..

He is the ultimate dare-devil and risk taker. From the age of 16, Mr. Parker has pushed the envelope. Napster, Plaxo, Facebook, etc. to name a few. His mantra is to always think the impossible and make it possible. Even though he is a controversial figure, no one can deny his pulse on the next big thing that changes the world.

Thinking out the box has always been a goal of mine. Now coupled with Arianna’s lessons of fearlessness, I think I can confidently try my ideas, while curbing my fear of success or failure. For many, the feeling of complacency is tied to just sticking to what they know. Never trying anything but also not learning anything new either. I think everyone should strive to personally develop themselves by a challenge. Once we give up on those challenges or obstacles we are settling to be what we’ve been and not to live for what can be. The fear within us cripples our want to experience something new and our insecurities hinder our will to just do it.

This year I challenge everyone to be the best you. Learn what it takes to develop your attributes to society. It takes hard work to battle that inner voice that doubts your capabilities, but we shouldn’t fear ourselves. Sometimes we are our own biggest hurdle.

When most people look at someone like Kanye West, we cringe at how arrogant and egotistical he is, but he may be the most insecure person and he has to self-promote to counter that doubter in his head and the doubters in society. At the end of the day, he had the “cojones” to creatively do what he wanted to.

The person quivering in the corner doesn’t get the job done. Making yourself a confident person takes a lot of personal development but if we look the best that we can, if we put forth the best work that we can,  and we accept who we are nothing can be against us. When we walk through life without trying to progress, we are shorting ourselves of our possibilities. I don’t get up to go to the gym because it is fun for me. I get up because I care about being the healthiest me. I don’t constantly read or force myself to watch the news because I love to hear those dreary stories of war, politics, and death, I do it because it sharpens my comprehensive skills and keeps me informed about the world outside of my world. And I give to charity because we, as people, are all connected. If one person in our tribe is down, we will all be affected, directly or indirectly. These things help me, personally develop me.  It helps me to be kind, to be generous, to be worldly, to be informed, to be healthy, and not be so self-absorbed.

I am a work in progress.  My New Year goals will always reflect that progression.

HOSTS: LT. GOVERNOR ANTHONY BROWN AND BALTIMORE RAVEN RAY RICE

DATE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 13, 2011

LOCATION: MANSION NIGHT CLUB

SPONSORS: GREY GOOSE, COORS LIGHT , SAVANT MARKETING GROUP, AND MURPHY PA

Aubin & Wills Cashmere Scarf

I’m always a sucker for a man with a gorgeous scarf. I end up borrowing it to smell his cologne all day. This cashmere scarf can me found at www.net-a-porter.com for $160.

Memory Master 2 Turntable

Does he have any old vinyl or cassettes that he wants to record to cd? Well this is the way to go. Such a cool gift for $400. Find at www.neimanmarcus.com

Key Pad Ultra for the Ipad

Make your Ipad experience a little easier with this all leather keypad. Priced at $150 and found on www.neimanmarcus.com

Golf Lessons

Tons of deals get made on the golf course. So if your guy needs to brush up or just even learn get him private lessons at the Laurel Golf Center. Private lessons  for 30 mins are just $50 and a beginner series for 5 hours of lessons is $295. www.laurelgolfcenter.com

Uniform Wares 100 Series Classic Steel Watch

For your guy who is simple but stylish, this Uniform Wares watch is great gift option. For just $175, you can find this on www.net-a-porter.com

Geneva Lab Series Model XS

Perfect for the Ipod and a guy who loves his music. Just $249 on www.genevalab.com

Merona Olive Green Men's Jacket.

Just for $64.99 at Target. Very chic coat for everyday wear.

Fuji Instant Camera

Just like a Polaroid Camera, Fuji has produced an instant party starter. Priced on www.neimanmarcus.com for $154.

For the Ms…..

Brian Atwood Cohen Borchie

FIERCE! www.brianatwood.com

Versace for H&M

Versace for H&M

Loving these dresses. Each are priced at $149 on www.h&m.com

Cul-de-Sac Glitter Ipad Case

Cute and only $18 at Lord and Taylor. It even includes a kickstand.

Oversized necklace by Kenneth Lane

Gorgeous oversized necklace by Kenneth Lane. 22k-gold plated for $90. Found on www.net-a-porter.com

Keep it Bracelet by Louis Vuitton

Love this bracelet. Only $195 at any Louis Vuitton Store

BE & D Cosmetic Bag

Very chic Cosmetic Bag found at www.shopbop.com for $98.

butter LONDON Duo Set

The butter LONDON nail polish set is completely adorable. It is the new craze with celebrities and it is just $25 at Nordstrom.