DC Young Professionals to Honor Kamala Harris

As many of you know, my Soror Kamala Harris, (15-A-86), is running for California Attorney General. The primary is only two months away and support is needed right now more than ever. The DC Young Professionals are hosting their very last Young Professionals event for Kamala in DC on Monday, April 26th. Please find the event info below. I hope you will attend and help spread the word if you are in the DMV area!

DC YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR KAMALA HARRIS

Invite You to a Fundraiser Honoring

San Francisco District Attorney & Candidate for California Attorney General

KAMALA D. HARRIS

MONDAY, APRIL 26, 2010
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

L2 LOUNGE
3315 Cady's Alley NW (between 33rd and 34th off of M St.)
Washington, DC

VIP . . . . . . . .. . . . $100
Young Professional . . . . $ 40

$25 Student Tickets Available Upon Request to event@kamalaharris.org

Advance ticket purchase required here:

For more information, contact Lilya Mitelman: event@kamalaharris.org / 415.256.1727


I can't emphasize enough how critical this race is for the state of California, and for our nation. California has one of the highest rates of recidivism in the entire country. Meanwhile, our corrections budget has grown into the billions of dollars, leaving us with a revolving door that cycles criminals in and out of prison. Our current system is failing, and my aunt Kamala has implemented innovative initiatives that provide new and effective solutions to these massive problems. As she enters her seventh year as San Francisco's District Attorney, the "Smart on Crime" approach Kamala has pioneered continues to serve as a model for the nation to reform our criminal justice system.

Kamala's Back on Track initiative, for example, has achieved nationwide recognition for its successes in taking first-time, low-level, nonviolent drug offenders off the streets, giving them an education, job training and other important life skills, and re-entering them back into productive society. And her fight against school truancy provides hope to children who too often feel that our educational system does not care about them. These are just two examples of the great work my aunt is doing in San Francisco, and models of success she hopes to bring to the state of California.

Please join the DC Young Professionals for Kamala Harris on Monday, April 26th, and support an inspiring candidate in her historic run to become California's first woman and first African-American Attorney General, and the first South Asian Attorney General in the country.


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MORE ABOUT KAMALA HARRIS

Kamala Harris is currently the District Attorney of San Francisco and a celebrated rising star in the Democratic Party. She was the first female DA elected in San Francisco and is now running to become the first female and first African-American Attorney General in California history. If elected, Kamala will also be the first South Asian Attorney General in the nation.

Kamala was the first elected official in California to publicly endorse President Obama and was the co-chair of his California campaign. In fact, journalist Gwen Ifill said about Kamala on The Late Show with David Letterman: "She's brilliant, she's smart. They call her the 'female Barack Obama.'" Kamala was also featured on Oprah as one of “America's Most Powerful Women" and The New York Times named her one of the 17 women most likely to become the first female president of the United States. Recently, Kamala was recognized by Lifetime Television among Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton and other accomplished women, for her commitment to justice. You can watch Lifetime’s “Every Woman Counts” Salute to Kamala Harris here.

The praise and support Kamala has garnered are a result of her outstanding track record as District Attorney. She was recently re-elected to her second term as District Attorney and ran un-opposed for that position. She raised the felony conviction rate in San Francisco to 71%, the highest in over a decade. But she's not just tough on crime, Kamala has completely revolutionized the District Attorney's office by implementing progressive, creative programs that also seek to be "Smart on Crime." In addition to increasing convictions for serious and violent crimes, she has also championed education by using truancy statutes to improve attendance at schools and has pioneered programs to protect and aid the families of victims. She hopes to bring this same progressive approach to the Attorney General's office on issues of prison reform, education, and the environment. Her smart on crime approach was featured on The Today Show. You can watch the interview here.

Kamala will be the progressive, new generation of leadership that California needs. To learn more, please visit www.kamalaharris.org.

Join Kamala's Facebook page and spread the word! http://www.facebook.com/KamalaHarris

Flawless Friday

She is so stunning-this young lady took my breath away!
Moms everywhere take note-PLEASE.
Use this post to make a point with your daughters while prom shopping this year.
Youthful elegance-it can be done.
Click through to see this beauty.

 
What Prom Gorgeous Looks Like At Age 17

courtesy of Creole in DC

Desiree Rogers' "First Public Appearance" Since White House Departure

She's Back.

The topic - “Her role as Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary.”

Should be interesting.




The Black Socialite TM: Desiree Rogers' "First Public Appearance" Since White House Departure

Big Decisions

I've had to make a number of huge, life altering decisions lately. I always wonder if i'm doing the right thing or going down the right path. A person never knows how their decisions will put a chain of events in motion for their good or to their detriment. Any decision doesn't just impact you-it could impact your family, and the community around you also. What do you do when you have the weight of the world on your shoulders?

Lauryn Hill

It's so good to see Lauryn Hill again after such a long absence.  I still have her in my ear.  Her album twelve years ago still sounds good to me.  It's probably more relevant than what's out here now.  I would however offer a small piece of advice before hitting that carpet again-groom your brows baby.  It makes all the difference in the world. Here are a few products to consider:

24/7 Professional Brow Shaping System

Mally Beauty

Anastasia 7-Item Brow Book 

Nordstrom 

Back to Basics

R.I.P. Dr. Dorothy Height

1912-2010

Civil Rights Icon, Dr. Dorothy Height passed away at the age of 98.  R.I.P.

Tuesday Tease

Does a 10 year age difference make me a cougar?
Daniel Sunjata

Motown Monday

I started this blog as a project of mine because so much ugly was going on around me.  In order to stay sane, I needed to force myself to concentrate on what I love-God, my family, and the beauty that's all around me (I just heard Maurice White (Earth.Wind.Fire) in my ear).  That being said, I never got into the blogger profiles, etc. that people fill out with a passion however, if I were to enter my favorite movie of all time, it would be courtesy of Motown, Lady Sings the Blues.

I was 11 years old when this movie came out in 1972, and even though  there are movies that I enjoy and watch over and over, nobody can top Miss Ross as Lady Day.  Her portrayal of the brilliant but tragic Billie Holiday still moves me to this day.  My definition of unconditional love comes by way of Billy Dee Williams (I try not to think of Malt Liquor) as Louis McKay.  He was so sexy.  There was nothing and I mean nothing she could do that he didn't forgive (remember the Piano Man scene) and he loved her flaws and all.  I know every single song from the soundtrack, and damn near every word of dialogue.  Richard Pryor was wonderful, I mean the whole cast just stays with me to this day.  Diana Ross was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category.  She lost to Liza Minnelli (Cabaret I think), and I was outraged.  This movie is a masterpiece.

When Billie met Louis-a classic moment (2:58).


Good Morning Heartache-Billie needed a fix.


Original Movie Trailer.

In a Hurry?

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.  Psalm 62:5

The old folks used to say just wait on the Lord or, go sit quiet while the Lord is doing his work.

Entire countries have been halted and totally disrupted.

Even the President had to go sit down somewhere.

Sometimes we have to be reminded who's in control.

Flawless Friday

Better late than never C. T., and it doesn't get any better than this.
Love her.

In My Ear: Chrisette Michele

It's not "new" but I just can't get this out of my head.

Happy Birthday Motown!!!

Motown was the soundtrack of my life. 

I can't do it justice right now, but I will.

Dreary Tuesday

It's cold and rainy here.  I've decided that NOTHING could cheer me up-until I saw this.
No reason not to be stylish on a cold, rainy, nasty day huh?
Hope you're having a good day wherever you are.

R.I.P. Dixie Carter

Nobody had more sophistication and sass than Miss Julia Sugarbaker.

R.I.P.

Flawless Friday

AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

My face immediately lit up when I saw this.
Can you think of anything more perfect than the mother-daughter bond?
Ok. Besides mother-son?
This could be my daughter and I (if only I'd take a picture). 
Have a great weekend.

Lois Mailou Jones (Pierre-Noel)

Originally from Boston, the artist fell in love with the island of Haiti and its people.

Rain at Port-Au-Prince 1960

Depicts her early interest in African art housed at the National Museum of of American Art.

Les Feticles-1938

Howard University professor of art from 1930-1977, she was a champion of American artists.  Some of her students went on to become substantial contributors to American art, most notably, Elizabeth Catlett.  She was commissioned to create two of the thirty three stained glass windows at Andrew Rankin Chapel, Howard University.  This one is dear to me.

Founders Window-Andrew Rankin Chapel-Howard University, Washington, DC

Soul Train on DVD

If you STILL missed Rock Docs on VH1:

TimeLife has the Best of Soul Train on DVD. It's an 8 boxed set with a bonus DVD of the first ever airing of the Soul Train Music Awards. It retails for $149.95 (ouch).  Sample the fun below.

Flawless Friday

credit

Blue Willow Inspiration

The inspiration.

I came across this image and it immediately brought back the memory of my Great Aunt Margaret.  We called her "Smunk" and don't ask me why.  She was in her fifties when I was born, and as I never knew either of my Grandmothers, Smunk was it-and more.  I grew up in a time when there was extended family around to help out.  There was no such thing as day care centers-we went over to Aunt Margaret's.  She lived in a "colorful" neighborhood; Portner Place in northwest DC (wonder if it's still there)?  The 14th and "U" Streets corridor was a little rough back then, not at all like it is today and I was fascinated but a bit afraid of the neighborhood.  Aunt Margaret didn't blink and therefore, we didn't either.  From the time she got up in the morning, she was always impeccably dressed even to sweep off the front stoop.  Dress, hose, pumps, hair done, the whole nine. 

Anyway, her meals were wonderfully prepared and served on the "Blue Willow" china pattern that I'm sure everyone is familiar with.  My first marriage, I registered for a trendy Mikasa casual china pattern that was out at the time.  The marriage ended-I gave the china away.  Older and wiser the second time around, I bought the Blue Willow.  Some things are meant to last forever-like my memories of the only grandmother I've ever known:  My Great Aunt Margaret McClurkin.

Images via flickr:

Boxed China 

Fridge Magnets

Eggs

Tattoo

Sunday dinner

Easter Bonnet

Nobody does a hat like the Queen!

Except Princess Grace Kelly
From the upcoming Grace Kelly exhibition at the V and A Museum.
(Images Copyright: Consulate General of Monaco, New York)

via Political Style

I used to wonder when I was younger if there was a store that only the sisters of the church would know about to go and purchase their hats for Sunday service.  To this day I keep wondering when one of them will pull me aside and finally tell me where they go for their "interesting" millinery.  Then I wonder if I'll wake up one day and actually feel like I'm finally ready to be wearing one and then go look for them on my own!

I think if I start wearing hats to church, it'll be more Kentucky Derby chic vs. church elder style.  And trust me-/I'm not ready to be a church elder just yet!

At any rate, sisters don't wait until Easter to bring it with the millinery, but I suspect I may see some over the top finery this weekend anyway.  And the one thing I know, those hats will be worn with elegance, style and pride.

Happy Easter!