A Guest on the Anthony McCarthy Show

I am so thankful for my community. So many have reached out to me to support me in my journey of being a newly published author and Mrs. Essence 2013. Thank you to Carla Blackwell for getting me on the WEAA 88.9FM Anthony McCarthy Show! I had a great time discussing sexual assault and domestic violence in our community, Queendom T.E.A., my new book, Positively Bodyful and the Essence pageant system. I will be back on the show -- stay tuned! :)

Positively Bodyful Launch

What a blessing to finally see my book in print! Thank you to all those who supported me in making this possible: Mardis, Dakota, Zarah, Giselle, Mica and Shuna!

Undaground Radar Magazine Shoot

Stay tuned for my interview and cover shoot for Undaground Radar Magazine! ;) 

Mariah Ministries Back to School Drive

It was a great opportunity to serve to my community by donating book bags for this great ministry!

Featured as a "Wonder of Our Community" in Local Newspaper

WIOW Fashion Show Guest

I had a great time at the Wear it Out Wednesday Vargas Revamp by Michelle Li Murphy Fashion Show. The location of the event, the Grand Historic Venue in Baltimore, was gorgeous! Inspired by Italian artist, Alberto Vargas, Vargas Revamp conceptualizes a modern sensual aesthetic with vintage appeal through the lens of Michelle Li Murphy. As a fashion blogger, I love all things vintage and as a result was enamored at all of the attire! I was honored to meet the stylist behind many of Lady Gaga's hair styles, Elicia Moore (below)! She is such a sweetie and stylish lady!

International Virtual Sexual Abuse Awareness and Solutions Summit Speaker

Brett Scudder, president, chairman, Abuse Czar, Chief Happiness Officer “CHO” of SISFI invited me to be a part of a panel of speakers, discussing the theme, "The Injustices of the US Justice System". It is an honored to be a part of such a dynamic group of advocates and distinguished people who are fighting all over the world to eradicate sexual abuse. The 3-hour summit is important because we must continue to publicly discuss this silent crime. 

Speakers included: 

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Bullock, retired federal Civil Rights Judge and Author
Ms. LaQuisha Hall, Mrs. Essence 2013, Author, Abuse Advocate
Ms. Sharnae Lathan, CEO, Thru A Child’s Eye. Who Cares, Child Abuse Advocate
Ms. Heather Hough, mother of abused child fighting the system
Ms. Nancy Kilgore, educator, public speaker, author

To listen to the summit, click here. 

Miss Black USA Pageant & Meeting Deya Smith

I was so excited to support Alexandra Morton, Miss Black Maryland USA at her national pageant. She has volunteered with me and on her own in supporting young girls. She made top 15 and I could not think of a better reason to lose my voice temporarily, lol.

It was fun hanging out with my sister queen, Mrs. Exquisite International and Mrs. Northern Virginia Essence 2013, Christina Schinner! Her and I have become so close after the Essence pageant--such a blessing. We met up with another sister queen and Essence pageant judge, Kimi Holloway, Ms. Corporate America 2013. We also ran into the Executive director of Essence Pageants, Kevin Wade, who looked fantastic. I had to give him a little peck on the cheek... :)

The highlight of my evening was meeting Deya Smith... see below!

Girl's Glam Season Finale Fashion Show

 "Thee Danielle Baker", founder and director of Girl's Glam, puts on thee best fashion shows!! I truly enjoyed participating in this event and I was delighted to donate two gift bags filled with all things glam and queenly and crown one of the participants for her hard work and helpfulness throughout the program. It is so enlightening to see community leaders continuing the work of supporting and building our youth through positive experiences. I look forward to the day when Danielle created Girl's Glam for adult women, lol. :)

My First Autograph Signing at the Chick-Fil-A Anniversary Celebration

I am so thrilled that I was able to support a sponsor of Essence Pageants today with my sister queen, Elesia, Miss Essence 2013. We had a blast at the Chick-Fil-A Anniversary Celebration in District Heights, Maryland. This was the biggest celebration I have ever witnessed at this type of restaurant. Elesia and I signed autograph cards, thanks to our director, Sue, for getting them made for us! Side note: I have been competing in pageants since 2008 and I have never had the opportunity to participate in an autograph signing. As a matter of fact, I have never had autograph cards before outside of making some myself. Sue has already made this reign very special and memorable with even the things she considers small. Love her, and her daughter, who stole the show today with her hot dance moves and cute tutu! ;) Elesia and I also had a radio interview, hosted by DJ Dirty Rico. He was very lively and funny, as you can see from my big smiles in the photos, lol. The kids were too precious and we took lots of pictures. This was so exciting!

Skating Away Diabetes

I don't think I have ever been so excited for an appearance before! I had a great time helping to "Skate Away Diabetes" in support of LeKeesha Gardner's fundraiser in honor of her mother who passed away from diabetes. There was so many young girls there and a birthday girl (pictured right). They were all happy to see me and the birthday girl felt like I came for her... why not? ;) Her parents took lots of pictures of us in honor of her special day. 

It had been over 10 years since I last skated. I was nervous, but I had some mini "pros" around me who wanted to show me the ropes. Thankfully, skating came back to me just like riding a bike does. When I was ready to finally skate on my own, I still could not though because the girls wanted to take turns holding my hand going around the rink. I also got to play another young lady in air hockey... and that was not easy. Even though I won the game, she definitely made me work hard, lol! I am ready to go back to the rink, just give me a reason!  This night was truly memorable! 

NNPAAW Honoree & Interview Guest

This week I was honored by Dreamcatchers for Abused Children for National Non-Profits and Advocates Apprecilove Week, organized and founded by Brett Scudder, also an advocate for communities and people everywhere. As a result, I was interviewed on the HoodRich Magazine Radio Show by J.R. Strongg. I am thankful for the support and the encouragement which was unexpected! :) Listen to the show here! :)

Exquisite International Pageant 2013

I had such a great time at the Exquisite International pageant! Congratulations to all of the women who participated as they are all queens and super congrats to the winners of the crowns! Pinky, the director, continues to do an amazing job year after year... :)

Encouraging Young Campers to be Confident

Today I visited 43 beautiful young ladies who are participants in the Le'Sheea Fashion Design & Modeling Camp. These young beauties welcomed me with open arms, literally, lol. As soon as I came in I received many hugs, questions, cell phones aimed in my direction and more! One girl even asked if I knew Tyra Banks ("I'm trying to get to know her, dear... lol.). I discussed what being truly confident means, not only on the outside, but also on the inside. These young models didn't need me--they were well versed on what needed to be done to ensure their confidence! ;) I brought an extra Queendom T.E.A. crown with me because I knew that these ladies would want pictures... I ended up taking 43 individual photos, lol. Hey, I love girls so I didn't mind. One young lady was celebrating her birthday today and she got to keep the crown! This was such a fun, important and memorable opportunity!  

Hosting the "Koming From Afrika" Premiere

I was honored to be asked by Blaise Christian Sitchet, the director and producer of the film, Koming From Afrika, to be the hostess of the premiere! It was too cool to interview the actors and actress while having my own microphone and camera follow me around, lol. I was also interviewed by a local network and was asked this question: Can you share your thoughts on immigration? I will tell you that pageantry really prepares queens for the work that lies ahead, lol! I felt like I was asked an onstage question, but I answered very confidently and fluidly that we need to support and strengthen whoever is living in our communities so that they will not be divided or dilapidated. Koming From Afrika was very educational, while entertaining at the same time. I can't tell you how many times I laughed during humorous scenes! I also learned a lot about immigration. I loved every moment of this experience.

Sara Sara Makeup Launch

I had a fantastic time at the Sara Sara Cosmetics Makeup Launch! Congratulations to the CEO and Owner, Moniette Laury, and her beautiful daughter, Monet Horton. This collection contained beautiful, mature colors, which included those featured on my face in this photo. Crystal Parson of SYLK Cosmetics, beat my face with Shimmery Mint! I would have never thought I could wear a mint lip color, but it was done by an expert and complimented my dress well! I look forward to more from this makeup line! :)

Keynote Speaker at JHU "REACH" Closing Ceremony

Today I was the keynote speaker for the Johns Hopkins Summer "REACH" Program. For 19 years, Baltimore City students have worked during the summer in this program to propel them in the area of medicine. This summer, more 250 interns participated in the program and attended the closing. 

Curves Rock Runway Show

I am not very curvy, but I love and participate in all women's empowerment! I was honored to participate in the Curves Rock Runway show that was for women of all sizes. Tonight's event was the kickoff for a long weekend of Curves Rock Fashion Weekend. The organizers did a great job and I appreciate the introduction and the opportunity to model in this stellar event.

You must check out the video of me modeling in this show. The audience's cheers were very motivating! This team is destined to have a weekend of curvy success! :)

Pageant Insider News Interview with Tamika Hall

Tamika Hall, a courageous woman in which I have seemed to follow in the footsteps of since 2009, is my favorite radio personality! This is why I readily said yes to being interviewed on her show, Pageant Talk Live! Tamika interviewed my sister queens and I about our preparation and future plans for the Essence Pageants. Tamika also reigned as Mrs. Essence 2010 serving the system well. Being on this call reminded me all over just how exciting it is to be an Essence queen! :) Check out the interview here.

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".