Christmas in July Doll Delivery

I had a great time playing with the big and little dolls of The Black Doll Affair! We had an intimate discussion about complexion and feeling b'huetiful, polishing our nails pink and opening new dolls with the young beauties of Daughters of Destiny in the Sisters 4 Sisters, Inc. organization! We have done our doll deliveries here for the past few summers and I must say that today was the best by far! We even worked with the "teen dolls". 

Purple Strides Against Pancreatic Cancer

I made purple strides against Pancreatic Cancer with the Black Doll Affair! Together we walked the 5K race. While there, I met Krischell Lewis, Miss Junior Teen Maryland United States. 

Meeting in DC to Feed the Homeless

Each year, 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness. And with the foreclosures and unemployment rates going up, the face of homelessness has changed.  Families, people working minimum-wage jobs, people with multiple degrees are all homeless or don't know where their next meal will come from. Today, the Black Dolls have been invited to join St. Luke's Episcopal Church during their monthly Feed the Homeless outreach activity.

 It was great seeing all of the dolls again! :)

 This was such a moving event... I have never seen so many people in a park waiting for food. We had to serve at least 100 people, some with children. This was heart wrenching for me. I just wanted to help them all with more than just this one meal.

One of the ladies who was served wanted to take a picture with us. I will always treasure this photo. It will always be a reminder that there are so many people who need support--and that we can help to provide it. I am praying for these people. 

A Dream Fulfilled...

I was happy to spend a day of service with my dolling pal, Lauren! We attended a Martin Luther King, Jr. prayer breakfast where the Lt. Governor, Anthony G. Brown, was the keynote speaker. The uplifting occasion and experience was memorable. I appreciate the sacrifices made, not only by King, but by all of our predecessors to live a life of freedom and peace.

Bowling with Dolls

It was great to get out and "play" with my dolling friend, Lauren, who organized this event! Participating in various fun, social and volunteer activities is how we collect and save dolls for our two annual doll deliveries. While I cannot bowl worth a lick (I did not even bowl my age, lol!), we are off to a great start for next year's doll collection!

Black Doll Christmas Delivery 2011

What an experience... the most touching for me of all the deliveries I have attended! One little girl walked up to Ko and I and said, "Presents!?" How precious!! 

The girls were very receptive to our activities and thankful. I received many hugs from the girls and thanks from the onlooking parents. We served 20 girls ages 3-4 today. Parents took Black Doll Affair business cards and bills, thankful for the organization and wanting to know more. One mom wants to sign up and we look forward to having her join us! 

I am excited to continue this philanthropic work in 2012. Ko and I have some great ideas!! Won't you join us next time? :) I love BDA!! Join us!

Conversations of Legacy: Congo

Saronda and I had a great Conversations of Legacy about the Congo. She informed me that she was not really aware of what was occurring there until recently after noticing my posts on Facebook and after viewing the Congo Friends site. I brought 2 additional friends who joined our Conversation of Legacy. We had a great discussion with them, not only about the Congo, but also about how to be a B'huetiful Black Doll! They may be joining us soon! ;) Today was a great experience as I got to bond with Saronda and spread awareness of the atrocities occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thanks, Saronda and friends for your support--it means the world to me. ♥

Happy 2nd Birthday to DC Black Dolls on 9/10/11!

With our beautiful "Mama Doll"

 It was so wonderful to meet up with the dolls! What made this event even more special is that Dana Hill, a.k.a. "Mama Doll" and the founder of the Black Doll Affair, flew in from Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate with us! I also got to catch up with another doll queen, Allison Hill, Miss District of Columbia International 2011! We laughed, exchanged gifts, laughed, enjoyed great food, laughed and celebrated Aisha's birthday, and laughed some more! I am looking forward to our next date and collecting more black dolls to remind young girls of their beauty...

With Allison Hill, Miss District of Columbia International 2012

Black Doll Christmas in July & Ice Cream Social

 Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? Black Dolls did! We celebrated this month nationally at various ice cream parlors with little girls by giving them the gift of encouragement and, of course, a black doll.

I was especially excited for this playdate because I got the opportunity to catch up with the beautiful "Ko" and my BFF, Raise (a.k.a "Rice", lol). We had such a great time--I wouldn't have had it any other way! What was really cool about this meetup was how many people came up to us and asked who we were (did we look official? I guess so!). We got many compliments on our appearance and especially our hair!

I was especially touched when I approached a family, offering the information on the Black Doll Affair and the black dolls I was getting ready to offer his darling daughter. His response, skeptically, was, "How much is it?" (LOL!) This was the first time I have ever had someone think there was a fee! When I shared with the family that we were giving their daughter the doll free of charge JUST remind her of her beauty, they were overjoyed with thanks! The mother even shared with me that she spent some time living in Africa and she has had a hard time finding black dolls in the United States. The mother was especially thankful not only for the doll, but for what the entire Black Doll Affair organization offers our youth. :) 

♥ Be a Doll, Give a Doll! ♥ 

Conversations of Legacy with My Twin & Fellow Dollista

I had a great time with my fellow dollista, Latesha Blue (who is also known as my twin!). We had a great conversation at my home over fondue! Also, in our 2 girl meetup, we collected 4 dolls! Looking forward to the next event as I continue to "Be a doll!"

Tween Summit & Black Doll Christmas in July Delivery

I opened the camp with a fun fact about Maryland to prepare the girls for Mrs. Maryland! :)

This was a wonderful end to a very long day and week. The girls were super confident before and after we left! Aisha and I had a blast! :) Carolyn Washington, founder of Sisters 4 Sisters and the hostess of this camp, sent me this message on Facebook: "Ohhh Wow, thanks so much for blessing the camp with your beautiful presentation, the girls were so appreciative and grateful. I appreciate so much your heart which is so sincere for our Girls. I am very touched. One of the little girls asked "Ms Washington do I put the doll back ..I said no Baby it's your Doll, she smiled so brightly and I nearly broke down in tears. She said I can keep my doll...and I said yes...Sis, this truly was a blessing to my heart!" Thank you, Dana and Aisha for helping to make this possible...

 The phenomenal queen, Tamika Hall, Mrs. Maryland United States 2011, speaks to the young ladies before the Black Dolls workshop.