Women: for change

GIVING BACK || Kelly Rowland Sings for Jasmina Anema Leukemia Patient

This sory goes to show what wonderful things celebs can do when they bring attention to the right thing & give back!!

Jasmina Anema, the spunky New York City girl who desperately needs a bone marrow transplant, loved the girly pink cupcakes and the Hello Kitty bicycle she got on her 6th birthday Wednesday. But she was "over the moon" when Grammy-winning singer Kelly Rowland sang "Happy Birthday" to her in her hospital room at NYU Medical Center.

GIVING BACK || Bulgari Save The Children Ring

I love when fashion / beauty combines with giving, for Bulgari’s 125th anniversary they’ve teamed up with Save the Children’s Rewrite the Future campaign. This campaign is focused on “securing quality education for the millions of children out of school due to war and armed conflict”.  The goal is to provide good quality education to 8 million children by 2010.

Giving Back || Robin Roberts Reads To Children For Black History Month

Robin Roberts visits Barnes & Noble to read to children on February 17, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Alli Harvey/Getty Images). Reading Liza Lous for Black History Month.

GIVING BACK || Sprite Green Instrument Donation x Beyonce, Jay- Z + Lebron

Jay-Z, Beyonce & Lebron James were in Arizona  for the NBA ALL star Weekend and attended the Sprite Green Instrument Donation for the Boys & Girls Clubs in Arizona. Check out Pics & Videos after the click.

President Obama || Town Hall Meeting Helps Henrietta Hughes x Homeless & Unemployed

This is an amazing story and shows not only what a great person and President Obama is but reflects the good nature of human beings. There are many more cases like this around the world and it's a great reminder that maybe we should be focusing on these kind of issues a little more rather than obsessing with celebrity bust ups & issues...this is real!!

Let me know what you think of this stor

Please read the story and watch the clip after the click.

Giving Back || Gwyneth Paltrow & Courtney Cox Honored x Beyonce Performs

At the Unforgettable Evening Paltrow and Cox were recognized for their dedication to cancer causes.

Paltrow, who helped establish a research fund in memory of her father, appeared deeply touched by the honor.

 

Giving Back | Shakira Gives $6 Million School to Hometown

The Colombian songstress was active during the Obama inauguration and is even more active when it comes to her Philanthropic foundation.

 

Giving Back | Oprah's Angel Network x What They DO & How to GET INVOLVED

If you head over to Oprah.com you can keep updated with all the great things Oprah and her Angel network are doing. Projects such as The leadership academy, how the donations of  $15.6 Million has help build 300 homes and rebuilt eight communities in the Gulf (Hurricane Katrina).

 

Giving Back | Oprah Donates $350,000 to ATL Inner City School x Ron Clark Academy

Oprah Winfrey sent a surprise Christmas present to an inner-city Atlanta school: a $365,000 check!

An educator named Ron Clark almost didn't notice the whopping check, which was included in a letter from the talk show host. Clark opened the private academy in 2007 in one of the poorest neighborhoods of South Atlanta. Most students rely on private donations to pay the $14,000-per-year tuition.

"We teach school all day and fundraise at night," Clark told the Associated Press. "To have an unsolicited gift come like that is incredible."

Giving Back | Choose Your Organization To Donate to This Holiday

I am donating to different charities for my nieces and nephews this holiday season. I was recommend to visit www.causecast.org

Causecast, dubbed "a one stop philanthropy shop" by TechCrunch, is a platform where media, philanthropy, social networking, entertainment and education converge to serve a greater purpose.

People want to do good, want to be inspired, and want to inspire others to join them in giving back. Causecast makes this easy by providing users with means to CONNECT with people, leaders, charities, nonprofit organizations, and brands that inspire them.

Giving Back | Mariah Carey x Macy's & Make a Wish Foundation

It's the stuff of a great Christmas story. If you've ever been to New York at Christmastime, you know that Macy's "Santa Land" is a big attraction, with thousands of children lining up to meet Santa each year.

But this year, people have been visiting Macys' stores across the country for another reason: to send letters to Santa as part of the company's "Believe" campaign.

For each letter received, one dollar is donated to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, an organization that helps grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

And on Friday, Early Show viewers saw the foundation's work in action.

Nine-year-old Angelina Salaiz came all the way from Union City, Calif., and her special wish came true: she got to meet superstar Mariah Carey.

Check out the video after the click

Russell Simmons' Blog | 'Black' Sites / Blogs x Dating & Race

Let me know what you think about this blog and his POV. I agree with him 100% but what do you think? Do bloggers comment about his race & dating for gossip / entertainment value ( they also say / said he was gay) or are there true issues behind the consistent attention as he suggests?

Note: while I was searching for a politically correct photo for this blog I found one of the beautiful model Kiara at my Diamond Empowerment event who I have known for ten years. And no, we are not dating-I'm not THAT lucky.

It seems that almost every week since I have been single there is a headline on some black internet site that says something like "Russell Simmons is FINALLY Dating a Sista?!?!?!" Surely you have seen these, its a constant in my life.

I am of the view as a philanthropist and businessman that all press is good if it can help me as a brand or bring in more money to my five charities-especially in this time of economic crisis when every charity is struggling to keep afloat.    However,  I do find this blatent racism offensive.  Just last week I was out with my friend Veronica Verikova and the next day had to read about "uncle Russell's brand new blonde bust down". She doesn't deserve that, nobody does! And yes, it is offensive.

Giving Back | ReasontoGive.com

The Holiday season is fast approaching and giving, especially at this time is the best thing we can do.
When sites with great initiatives come to my attention i have to do a post about it, because if it promotes the idea to at least one other person it can make a big difference.

ReasonToGive.com

Giving should be simplified. Donating should be quicker. Helping should be personalized.

Reason To Give provides a shopping/giving experience that's simple, quick, and personal. We connect people who give a damn with people who need a hand.

Headquartered in the Puerto Rican neighborhood of Humboldt Park, Reason To Give seeks to educate people about our neighborhood's residents, history and culture while providing a simple, innovative way to lend a hand to the community.

Grown Up & Giving Back | Vanessa & Angela Simmons x Young Women's Leadership Confrence

Who isn't so proud of these girls, V & A have become role models to young people around the world. First seeing them on run's house, pitching, creating and growing their line 'Pastry' and now speaking at the Essence Young Women's Leadership Conference. We have pic's for you and hopefully footage coming up soon...did anyone attend? How was it?

Giving Back? | Kim Kardashian's eBay Auction

This is new to me as i don't follow Kim Kardashian, but she (and her family) are frequent sellers on eBay. I assumed it was a celeb style auction for charity but i know they do own a store aswell, they have multiple items for sale and they are listed as their personal clothes. The pics aren't that great and there is a big emphasis on giving to charity, which i think they only give 5 or 10%...is that better than nothing or should they donate a higher % ?

Read below what happened to one bidder / fan and what Kim's response was;

Giving Back | Mariah Carey, Chris Brown & more support "Feeding America"

Clothes off Our Back, the national leader in online charity auctions is hosting a celebrity charity bowl auction to benefit Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger relief charity, as part of the "Fill A Bowl, Feed America" campaign, a nationwide call to action to engage the public in the fight against hunger in America.

Celebrities including Jennifer Aniston, Lance Bass, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, George Clooney, Courteney Cox, Matt Damon, Matthew Perry, Adam Sandler, Carlos Santana, Taylor Swift, Renee Zellweger, and others autographed bowls in support of Feeding America's "Fill A Bowl, Feed America" campaign.

The signed bowls are up for auction at www.clothesoffourback.org beginning today and running through December 12th.

Giving Back | Knowles Sisters to Share Stage x Hurricane Ike Relief Fund

The Knowles sisters are sharing the stage for the first time ever and for a good cause.  Fuse is celebrating the holidays with a Knowles sisters’ intimate hometown performance – “Beyoncé and Solange: Hope for the Holidays.”

The concert will benefit the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund to aid Texas victims of Hurricane Ike through the Survivor Foundation, a Knowles family charity helping people in need. It will take place at Houston’s House of Blues on Tuesday, December 9th. The one hour concert special will premiere exclusively on Fuse on Sunday, December 21st, at 10PM ET.

Giving Back | Celebs get down for Coach Cares Program

Celebs like Kerry Washington, Rosario Dawson, Halle Barry & more are apart of Coach Cares, a program designed to celebrate the spirit of giving. This fashionable and philanthropic group has selected their must-have holiday items and now through December 31st 20% of proceeds of those items will be donated to that celebrity’s charity of choice. The customer gets some insight into the chairty of choice & what they do, they can also directly donate to the charity.

GIVING BACK x Melinda and Bill Gates: saving lives

Melinda Gates is no ordinary rich man’s wife. With husband Bill, she has used her business acumen to save millions of lives. Janice Turner meets her to discuss philanthropy, wealth, parenthood – and why Bill sometimes cries.

If you had married the world’s richest man, how would you live? Perhaps when the private islands, yachts and jets, the parties and Paris couture start to pall, you might schedule in a little light do-gooding. Maybe you’d bestow a gift upon a symphony orchestra or endow a museum. Something elegant with social cachet. The world’s uglier problems – such as the global Aids epidemic – could be locked outside your gated mansion. Unlikely, then, you’d choose to spend your days in stinking slums or Indian hospices, embracing HIV-positive prostitutes or dying babies. Or becoming fluent in the science of infection-preventing vaginal gels. 

INTERVIEW x BEYONCE - THE TYRA SHOW

Im really lovin' Beyonce again, i think the wole seperate Sasha Fierce thing is a good look, you can tell she feels more comfortable being herself. Beyonce was on The Tyra Show and talked about helping out voters and giving back to one of her biggest fans with MS.

GIVING BACK x BARACK OBAMA & FAMILY x THANKSGIVING

President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle O. took their daughters to work at a Chicago food bank yesterday, saying they wanted to show the girls the meaning of the holiday, especially when so many people are struggling.

Giving Back x Happy Thanks Giving Day

Mel B, Nia Long and Chanel Iman were in South Central LA a couple of days ago giving food to residents for Thanks Giving.

STAND UP x SAY NO TO VIOLENCE x UNITED NATIONS CAMPAIGN

As the UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador, Nicole Kidman is asking for your help in ending violence against
women, via the Say NO campaign. Rocket XL and UNIFEM (the United Nations Development Fund for Women) have teamed up to collect 1 million signatures to shed light on the overwhelming international support for the cause. The Academy Award-winning actress will then present those signatures to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on November 25 — the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women! It’s simple — go to www.rocketxl.com/unifem/site and sign your name today!
Also sign up after the click!!

GIVIVNG BACK x RIHANNA & GUCCI x White Tattoo Heart Collection to benefit UNICEF campaign

Check out the making of the ad / commercial after the click:

GIVING BACK x CIARA x MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION

 

Ciara, recently brightened a little girl's life by granting her wish to dance with the star. As part of the "Make-a-Wish" foundation, Cici showed 'Princess' the time of her life. When Ciara walked through the door, all the little girl could do was sit in amazement as she stared at her idol. When asked what she wanted to do, sheshylt responded "Dance" and that is what they did.

Check out the footage after the click.

PREVIEW x RIHANNA & GUCCI 4 UNICEF E-FILM

Go behind the scenes with Rihanna, who is the face of Gucci’s UNICEF 2009 holiday ads, as she works with Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini. This e-film documentary showcases Rihanna and Frida on the set of the UNICEF 2009 holiday ad campaign, Rihanna at the Gucci Winter Ready-to-Wear show in September, Rihanna and Frida discussing sketches and more. Check out this exclusive preview now, in anticipation of the full-length which will be posted on Rihanna’s and Gucci’s websites on December 9. Later this week, Rihanna and Frida will also be on hand at New York’s Grand Army Plaza for the annual snowflake lighting.

GIVING BACK x RIHANNA & GUCCI FOR UNICEF

GIVING BACK x SERENA WILLIAMS & HP OPEN SCHOOL IN KENYA

As the official Global Ambassador for HP, Serena Williams teamed up with HP to follow in Oprah's inspiring footsteps and open a secondary school in Kenya. Earlier this week Serena blogged that it was 'her job to promote HP products around the world and get involved in local charities'. So although not on the scale as Oprah, its great to see individuals being inspired to give back in an educational way that will enable those (that are disadvantaged) to be on some what of a level playing field and know that sky's the limit. Check out Serena's blog from Africa after the click.

Rockin The Red Carpet x Alicia Keys Keep a Child Alive Black Ball Event 08

Keep a Child Alive's fifth annual Black Ball Gala, hosted by Ambassadors Alicia Keys and Iman, will honor the global AIDS work of three remarkable humanitarians. This legendary evening will take place at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Thursday, November 13th 2008.

 

Rockin The Red Carpet x 3rd Annual Black Girls Rock Awards

The 3rd. Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards. An organization that mentors young Black women through music, Black Girl Rock Inc, used this year’s show to pay tribute to some of Hollywood’s most accomplished women, as well as lesser known sistas who have distinguished themselves in their particular field. This year’s honoress included British singer Estelle, as well as actress Pam Grier, and 70s models Bethanne Hardison and Iman.

For more on Black Girls Rock Inc Click

We think Iman Rock'd the red carpet how FAB did she look?, along with Estelle reppin' the UK & Regina King.

Leona Lewis says " I Want to Adopt"

Leona Lewis had an unexpected reaction to visiting South Africa earlier this year: the desire to adopt children.

"I wanted to take home all the kids. They were so cute. All of them had been orphaned because of HIV and it was heart-rending," the Bleeding Love singer, 23, tells Britain's Daily Mirror. "There are so many who need help – both here and abroad – you just don't know where to start."

Lewis, the Simon Cowell protégé who performed at the closing finale to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, says her upbringing would make her an ideal mom for troubled children.

Giving Back x My New Kiva.org Entrepreneur Loan

Name: Gnami Bidassa Location: Lomé, Togo Primary Activity: Cosmetics Sales

Give Back via Kiva. org
Born in 1973 in Tchitchao in the Kara region, Gnami Bidassa now lives in Lomé. She has two children and she sells staple goods as well as beauty products in Lomé. She started her business in 1989 and thus has a lot of experience in this field. Given that she was the first to open a business in her neighborhood, her seniority and welcoming nature have made her a well-known merchant. She has taken out a previous loan and repaid it in full. She is requesting this loan so she can increase her stock with the purchase of 13 boxes of milk, eight containers of oil, and 10 boxes of canned goods.

Giving Back x Gabrielle Union's New Mission in Ghana

 Actress Gabrielle Union traveled to Ghana recently as part of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure's mission delegation trip designed to help reduce the rate of breast cancer among women in the country. She also joined Ghana President John Kufuor for a dedication ceremony at the new HopeXchange Medical Center, a state-of-the-art breast cancer diagnostic and treatment facility in Kumasi. Nearly 70 percent of all Ghanaian women who have breast cancer don't see a doctor until the disease is in advanced stages. We spoke to Union about her trip abroad, how breast cancer has affected her own life, and why this issue is so important to her.

ESSENCE.COM: What was this experience, traveling to Ghana as part of the Komen for the Cure delegation, like for you?

GABRIELLE UNION: Traveling to Africa as an African-American, or just as an American, on the more "privileged" side of things is always an eye-opening, life-changing experience. It always puts everything in perspective for me.

ESSENCE.COM: Did you encounter any breast cancer survivors in Ghana? What was that encounter like?

UNION: I met at least 50-60 survivors, which was important because in Ghana, there are so many myths and rumors floating around saying that if you get breast cancer, your life is basically over. So it is important for women to see these survivors. Also, there are a lot of consequences for women in Ghana who are diagnosed with breast cancer. For instance, these women may have their husband leave them, their daughters may not be able to get married off, and they consider it a curse on the family. It's thought of as something you did wrong, so we always included survivors to show that if you do have breast cancer, you can beat it and you can live.

Next L'UOMO Vogue will be 'African Issue'

November Issue of L'UOMO Vogue will be a dedicated African issue:

'The all-black Italian Vogue issue released this past September was a smashing success. It sold-out instantly on news stands, leading Conde Nast to quickly release another 10,000 copies, which unsurprisingly, disappeared just as fast as they were rushed into stores.

Attempting duplicate that same kind of success once again and shine a light on another disturbing social phenomenon, Italian Vogue editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani will dedicate the November issue of L'Uomo Vogue -- the European style tome for men -- to Africa, with half of the advertising revenue generated from the issue being donated to Africa-related charities'.

I have to ask, If the issue was so successful why is it still so hard for black models in the modelling industry? And why aren't other leading fashion markets (UK & USA) following the Italian Vogue?

Giving Back x Ford Model 'Chanel Iman' Supports ONEXONE

Chanel Iman supports ONEXONE. ONEXONE's mission is to alleviate poverty and suffering of children locally and globally, Every life is infinitely precious and every individual can make a profound change in anothers life. ONE life- ONE Voice-ONE individual at a time. For more information please visit http://www.onexone.org

Spirit of Life Awards Dinner x Stars come out & Raise money

Stars Raise Nearly $10 Million For City Of Hope (FMQB)
Music stars such as Mariah Carey, Rihanna, Akon, Maroon 5, Stevie Nicks, Lionel Richie, Michael McDonald, Keyshia Cole, Robin Thicke, Duffy, Jamie Cullum, Erykah Badu and others helped City Of Hope celebrate Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Doug Morris by raising nearly $10 million for cancer research during their annual "Spirit Of Life" gala on Wednesday night in Santa Monica. The event, which honored Morris for his contributions to the community and music industry, shattered fundraising records to make it one of the single largest one-night charity events in California state history.

Check out the celebs lookin good will giving good!!

Rihanna looked fresh and vibrant rockin' a new do and and a fab orange mini dress, while Mariah & Nick bring back old Hollywood glamour.

More images to come...

Giving Back & Lookin' Great x Mariah & Nick @ Andre Agassi's 13th Annual Children's Benefit

Mariah and husband Nick Cannon at the 13th Annual Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation's Grand Slam for Children benefit concert at the Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday, October 11, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Thanks Mariah daily).

Mariah & Nick look great at this black tie event, she looks elegant in her floor length open back dress which is simple yet classy.

 

More pics after the click.

Celebs That Care.....Leona Lewis Rejects £1Million

Leona has rejected a £1m offer from Harrods boss Mohammed Fayed to open this year’s summer sale because the department store sells fur.

A staunch vegetarian since the age of 12, Leona stuck to her principles and turned the lucrative offer down.

Lewis, who was this year voted animal rights campaign Peta’s World’s Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity, said: ‘I’m totally against animal cruelty. I don’t have clothes, shoes or bags made from any animal products.’

Harrods, which declined to comment, is the only department store in the UK that continues to sell fur, and is regularly targeted by animal cruelty campaigners.

Source: Daily Mail

Celebs love.....Doing Good!!!

Recently Mariah Carey and Nicole Richie have been expressing their passion for the humanitarian projects that they are involved with and more are on the way....which is a V Good thing.

Salma Hayek is a  spokeswoman for the Pampers/UNICEF campaign and is supporting a global campaign to eliminate tetanus, which kills a newborn baby every three minutes in poor countries.

As for Salma, she went to Sierra Leone last week to participate in a vaccination drive against the disease.

So, now for each specially-marked pack of Pampers diapers that get sold through the end of the year, Procter & Gamble has pledged to donate a vaccine.

During a news conference in Geneva, Hayek said, "I had no idea how much it was going to really personally move me … to actually see it in Sierra Leone."

Sierra Leone is one among 50 countries where newborn babies and mothers die of tetanus.

Leighton Meester who plays Blair from the CW hit show Gossip Girl walks the runway to battle domestic violence. (Read more after the click)

Gucci & Rihanna Team up with UNICEF

Gucci has been a UNICEF corporate partner since 2004, and it is now teaming up with pop's new queen. Rihanna will star in Gucci’s ad campaign with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The Bajan pop princess will promote Gucci’s limited-edition Tattoo Heart products and a quarter of the sales will be donated to UNICEF. The ads are expected to start appearing in magazines in December. Rihanna was also on hand to watch the Gucci show in Milan. She wore a sexy, black halter dress and thigh-high fringe boots.

(src: Essence.com)

Nicole Ritchie & Joel Madden Raise $10,000 For Playgrounds

I think having a baby has really changed Nicole and she has been dedicated to giving back ever since she became preganant and turned her life around, i think she's FAB....US peeps support if you can!!!

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are turning text messages into serious money for kids in need.

A week after they launched their Text CHILD to 90999 campaign, the Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation has raised close to $10,000 toward their goal of $35,000 to build a playground for the children at Beyond Shelter in Los Angeles.

The funds came in via 1,825 text messages, each donating $5, from donations in 48 states. 

Richie also made a video while visiting kids and their families at Beyond Shelter to give people a glimpse of those in need of help. "This past year, philanthropy has opened my eyes to so much need and so much beauty," she writes on DCMACollective.com. "I have also realized how easy it is to help, and how rewarding it feels to be able to make a positive difference in someone’s life."

(src: people.com)

Special message from Mariah Carey: World Hunger Ambassador

Dear lambs,

I am so grateful for my life and for everything that I have.

Over the years I have been passionate about helping those who are less fortunate, especially children in need.

It is shocking that 850 million people face hunger every day. But it pains me even more to know that every six seconds, somewhere in the world, a child dies of hunger. This is unacceptable. Let us commit ourselves today to make a difference and help end hunger around the world.

Join me in support of the World Hunger Relief campaign to benefit the United Nations World Food Programme. Together we will help feed millions of children.

Give children the chance they deserve and give to the World Food Programme. Just $1 will feed 4 children.

To donate and join the movement to end world hunger, visit www.fromhungertohope.com.

Together we can help significantly in bridging the gap between hunger and hope.


Mariah Carey
Ambassador for World Hunger

(src: Mariahdaily.com)

Mariah Named Hunger Ambassador for Relief Campaign

Yum! Brands announced today the launch of its annual hunger relief effort to help stop world hunger.

This year, Mariah Carey, the most popular female singer in history, will be featured in World Hunger Relief restaurant posters as Hunger Ambassador with the quote, “The change from hunger to hope starts with you.” Customers who donate to the World Hunger Relief campaign at participating KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver's or A&W Restaurants around the globe will receive a special, free download of her song, “Love Story” from her newest CD E=MC2.

Island Def Jam (IDJ) has partnered with the leading provider of digital download services, Neurotic Media, to support Yum!’s World Hunger Relief movement and Mariah Carey’s “Love Story” song download giveaway. Neurotic Media generated the redemption codes for the giveaway, hosts the redemption mini-site, and delivers the MP3 globally for this promotion.

Russell Simmons - Do You

One of my favourite books that i read last year & this year was the New York Times Best Seller, Do You! 12 Laws To Access The Power In You To Achieve Happiness & Success  by Russell Simmons. Although not saying anything different from what most other spiritual / self help books say, he admits it and confesses that this is a reminder. It appeals to a new range of people who can sometimes real ousted by the spiritual jargon. He includes examples of hip-hop industry, clothing industry and other personalities to make a better connection with the reader.

Check out Russell talking about his book at Bernard's Book Shelf

Wyclef & Matt Damon in Haiti Food Relief

There were cries of adulation — and also of hunger — as Matt Damon and Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean toured the flood-ravaged city of Gonaives on Sunday to call attention to the widespread suffering.

Tropical storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike submerged the city and cut off roadways in and out. Where waters have receded, streets remained a stinking mudbath and homes were left with a carpet of muck and encrusted pots, pans and laundry.

(Getty Images)