2012: My Year as Mrs. International Beautiful

Civic Grind's "Lifestyle" Segment

Thanks to Civic Grind for highlighting me in their Lifestyle segment this month! Read my interview here.

A Few Updates: Mrs. Maryland Beautiful 2012

I had a wonderful time at the Tara's House of StyleZ Natural Hair Meet & Greet! I was thankful to be the winner of the THS contest, but when I arrived, I won again! I won 2 beautiful Amazonite beaded bracelets (hanging off my arm in the photo) from Cheryl's Bracelet Bar! Since then, Cheryl has sponsored more jewelry  for me and created a teal/ turquoise line called "Corner Curl Girl"! I am so excited! Tara did a great job and I enjoyed networking with other naturalistas.

I had a "hot" time at the African American Heritage Festival this weekend! I was a proud model and Ambassador for Tiffany Jeffers' Sylk Cosmetics products. Thanks to Lana Rae and Latease Lashley, hostesses of the first "Fashion Alley", I had 2 great interviews.

In front of 500+ sharing the importance on leaning on each other as a community, proudly representing authentic beauty. ♥ Thank you, to Dr. Jasmine for allowing me this opportunity at the Social Security Administration.

With Ms. Maryland United States filming a commercial at Sylk Cosmectics! ♥

I attended a community coffee on Friday to talk about the Conscious Conversations Cafe lecture series at Goucher College - bringing in nationally recognized women thought leaders to hold a conscious conversation with our community, to be able to keep the conversation going, to encourage more conversations in the future - and, all to benefit an incredible cause, the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA). Here I am with two of the most incredible, passionate women I know... Ann Quasman, radio hostess of WomanTalk Live, and Caprice Smith, CEO of SharperMinds Consultants.

Congratulations to all those who competed in the Essence Nationals pageant! You ALL are winners! ♥

I had a wonderful time teaching my workshop, "You Are Special" yesterday! The girls had so much fun learning table etiquette, the importance of being kind and believing in themselves. I look like I was saying something extremely profound here. LOL! ♥

Natural Hair & Naturally Thin: A war declaration in pageantry

Click here to read this article. Enjoy! :)

"Embracing Natural Beauty" Pageant Prep Radio Interview

I was absolutely delighted to be a part of Tamika Hall's Pageant Prep Radio Show today! I was honored to be interviewed on the topic of "Embracing Natural Beauty in Pageantry". Click on the link to listen to the show! :D Here are a few of my recent natural hair pageantry shots! ;) Enjoy...

Gowns & Crowns Oscar 2012 Honoree

Gowns & Crowns was an awards ceremony honoring women, girls and partners in pageantry for their work in communities with their crown. The stories of "crown" work was beyond touching--the power of the crown and her voice to make change. 

I received the Oscar Excellence and Star awards! Thank you, Lori!

Mariah, who was also an "Oscar" award winner, and I pose at EdVentures in Columbia, SC. This was my first weekend since school ended and I did not want to see another kid, lol. But this big kid was fun! :)

Thank you, Lori Pelzer, for your dedication to the pageant community and for honoring us. We appreciate you more than you know!

Speaking of Suicide...

I was honored to be one of the speakers for the 1st Annual LIVE! Beyond the Pain Awareness & Inspirational Dinner hosted by Toy James! This was such a monumental celebration of life through powerful testimonies, inspirational entertainment, youth performances and candle lighting ceremony. Toy James inspired me so much on this day through her story. This was truly the first event of its kind--suicide is not a widely discussed issue in addition to sexual abuse. 

I shared my story of my college suicide attempt, years after my abuse ended. I also gave a visual demonstration of why it is important for a person to reach out to others when in a depressed state. 

Sharing with Cyenna, Toy's cousin, that I did not ever want her to give up on life. I made her look in the wall mirrors behind us and check out just how fabulous she is! Cyenna took several photos with me and asked me if I live in a castle. LOL! She was so precious! 

I received this message from Toy on Facebook right after the event. This was such a blessing!

O.A.B.I. Voices United Publication

Click here to read!

O.A.B.I. Voices United  is an online magazine where global voices unite against abuse and domestic violence. Breaking the silence is not a popular choice but it is the right choice. This magazine is used as a tool for the people all over the world to get educated and informed. The network is growing with various writers who bring eye opening and compelling interviews and stories. ​ Read this publication today to hear the insightful words of those who speak out against abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, child sexual abuse, bullying, human trafficking, sex slave industry, and missing and exploited children and people. I am honored to have been published in the June 2012 issue! Check out my article, A Successful Survivor: The Queen who survived violence.

Queendom T.E.A.: Lovely Ladybugs 2012 Crowning Ceremony

Queendom T.E.A.: Big Hat Tea

My mentees, the 2012 Lovely Ladybugs! Once again, our lovely ladies learned table etiquette through a tea party and participated in a cupcake decorating contest! A special thank you to Mothyna James-Brightful, Visionary Founder of Heal a Woman to Heal a Nation, Inc. for talking to the ladies about positive affirmations. Every lady receive the book, Because I Am a Queen, coauthored by Mothyna! Additional thanks to Bradley Alston, director at the YMCA of Central Maryland for his support and sharing history with our young ladies.

Finished products

The winning cupcake!