B Girl Stance

At the top of the year folks, I sealed a partnership with 2 very progressive brothers Carlito and DJ Radamus, to become part of The CutNScratchFridays show LIVE from Chop Shop Barbershop Miami. This Web broadcasted radio show is part of a growing network empire and is an interactive internationally accessible show. Viewers can log on listen watch and participate by logging onto universemiami.com every Friday from 6-8pm. The shows content is an absolute smorgasbord of entertainment and lifestyle sports and current affairs, against a back drop of Hip Hop with a ‘No School Rule’ attitude. DJ Radamus provides the sounds by way of Video Mix Mashup meets REAL turntablism! I’m so happy to now be a part of this ‘YoMTV Raps On STEROIDS’ show and invite you all to come hangout and request your favourite videos by checking out CutNScratchFridays every Friday 6-8pm on www.universemiami.com. SEE YOU THEN!!

I can only say this for myself, that when modern day versions of racism rears it’s ugly head in my direction, I seem to be so dumbfounded and in a state of denial that it takes a second to really pour through. I attended a Vodka launch party recently, of which the Vodka was delightful I might add, only to then spend quite some moments deciding on whether or not to judge a variety of actions by the venue and staff as racists. It’s amazing to me how much in denial I am about such matters in today’s margins of taboo verses affirmative action in regards to racism. Oddly though, I’ve been encountering some interesting and repetitive twists involving many Latin Americans as the culprits. This recent episode at the Vodka Launch party took place at a venue called Haven somewhere on south beach. It was my first time ever going there, and I only attended as the Vodka Launch party was at said venue, and my manager knew several folks directly involved with the brand. Upon arrival, my girlfriends(a mix of black and latina girls ) waited outside as the open bar complimentary portion of the night had not finished being set up. So we waited, along with many others in a mixed crowd outside Haven. When the doorman stood aside for us to enter, my girlfriends and I showed ID and walked in to a charmingly appeasing to the eye set up with the orange Color of the brand all around us by way of full wall screens around the entire bar lounge, and orange lit bar itself on both sides of the venue, and ofcourse the very attractive orange liquior in frosted glass bottles. We immediately sat in the middle of the bar and began to look at the drink menu. Ten minutes later we were still looking at the drink menu, meanwhile drinks were being served from the left and right of us and (I laugh as I remember) drinks were served over our heads behind us C and over our shoulders, as if we weren’t standing and sitting right at the bar in the bar tenders face. After 15mins of being ignored finally we got one of the bar girls to come over, we placed our drink request, she poured lustily into four plastic cups, sat them down in front of us and stepped away completely unconcerned. As I was about to reach for a cup and toast the other girls and begin sipping, one of my girlfriends suggested ” what no straw, no glass like EVERYONE else, no type of presentation on a hospitable level like all of these people in this establishment”. I put my cup down and looked around, my girlfriend was right. Every other person aside from our little black section in the middle of the bat were served as complimentary guests in glasses with a straw providing the ” you are our guests for the evening and drinks are on us” vibe. We were the only people in the entire club served our drinks in a plastic cup as if we didn’t deserve the same hospitality as the other patrons. I truly hated to admit it, but due to the same said female bartender looking at me waving at her , locking eyes with me and specifically ignoring me never reproaching that section of the bar, allowed me to understand that this was truly a blatant act of discrimination and a horribly poor level of accommodating ANY party goer or guest of an entertainment night life venue. Needless to say I wouldn’t recommend HAVEN to anyone who’s skin cannot pass as White or the lighter shade of Latinas. Of course I had my twitter rant on the subject, but truly it was surprisingly blatant and that venue should be utterly and completely ashamed of themselves ! A definite NEVER AGAIN to HAVEN on south beach. SHAME ON YOU!

This past sunday saw the sneak peak of my new B Girl inspired hat line. Despite the rain, the ladies came out to support the first Ladies First Luncheon, and the unveiling of my new hat line, at Denim Bar on Biscayne Midtown Miami. I was actually quite nervous as leading up to the end of the work week, things became rather challenging. Nevertheless, the day arrived and the event was a success.  A variety of tasty nibblets were on hand to munch, Mimosas were served and music was provided by DJ Lucky C. The fabulous artwork on the walls , is an art piece still in progress entitled “Tribute To Women Of Hip Hop” by B Boys Sero and Chillski, who are also responsible for much of the Graffiti art in the Wynwood section of Miami. The finished work will be available for viewing during the  Art Basel festival top of Dec, when I’ll hold an exhibit at the Denim bar showcasing the entire piece. The event was from 2-5pm this past sunday, however the ladies that came out to support, ate, sipped mimosas, then decided they wanted to shop, and shop , and shop. The event actually ended at 6:40 due to the overtime shopping spree the guests were on. I’m so happy the event went well, and so well infact that the ladies that came out asked me if I could do this ‘Ladies First Luncheon’ once a month.I think thats a Charming idea, and right up my alley! Alls well that ends well, and this was another Fabulous event. Much love to all that helped in all areas to pull this off. LADIES FIRST!

During life’s many turns, there are things that come to pass that aren’t new lessons per say, but actually old lessons revisited. Expectations can often lead one astray if it’s allowed. Human nature allows us to slip into a mind state where we expect others to behave and think as we do individually. Unfortunately this is an unrealistic approach that personally I’ve had to readjust. Everybody doesn’t view things through the same window so to speak. Whereas somethings are accepted within their realm, so too somethings aren’t. I’ve learned that though deemed business, Many times, many in life have a little more difficulty than others, viewing a business decision as clearly that. This can then send a variety of mixed emotions and messages in an area not intended for feelings of this nature at all. Remembering that not everybody thinks as oneself is key in this scenario. In life mixed messages,signals,and feelings in business serve as distractions, designed to take one completely off course. To present a new focus contrary to what was originally in sight. At this point in my life I’m clear on all of this, therefore the more temptation is placed upon my potential to stray off course, the more transfixed on my agendas origin I become. The devil is, and will always be a LIAR!

The idea of women celebrating each other hmmmmmm, in a time where TV is capitalizing off of women bickering at every social and private gathering that they possible can, seems impossible. Well contrary to this new upside down notion that women aren’t happy for another womens achievement, a group of highly esteemed women in the Miami area, put together an event honoring some inspiring ladies from all walks of business. They called the event The Diva Lounge , honoring Miami Mavens. I was humbled when I received an invitation to this event and even more so when I attended this event held at the Anya Ponorovskaya boutique in Miami’s Design District. The event was set up to have invited guests mingle with eachother, hence encouraging ladies to meet ladies in other walks of business, and step out of their day to day circles. Promoting a successful level of cross networking, set to the background of cocktails, fine Spanish cuisine, and a ceremony honoring some special invited guests. I can truly say that Sisters In Motion put together a wonderful event, and I’m so grateful that I was invited to witness first hand what sisterhood among influential women, looks and feels like. As if all this wasn’t enough, ladies were furnished with a parting gift bag, containing fashion magazines, courtesy cards from women owned and operated businesses, hair care and womens nutrition products, and some key business cards. The only request of the organizers of this event, to get 5 business cards from the evenings guests, and follow up with at least 3 of them. I followed up with possibly 10 ladies already and I’m still excited about the event days later. What can I say, my passion for my women winning exceeds me! As I left the boutique that night, I heard Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox playing in my head ” Sisters, are Doing It For Themselves “!