”

WHAT: Tracy Wilson Mourning, founder and visionary of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, along with hundreds of women leaders, members, sponsors, mentors and volunteers come together for the 8^th Annual “Hats Off” Luncheon presented by ING.  Ladies, grab your favorite hat and enjoy a reception, silent auction, luncheon, and the always- anticipated “Honey Bug” Showcase.  Proceeds fund bi-monthly “Aspire to Shine” Workshops as well as Camp Honey Shine, a four-week summer day camp for 100 girls enrolled in the program.

The “Hats Off” Luncheon is the Honey Shine Mentoring Program’s premier fundraising event. Since 2003, the Hats Off Luncheon has attracted more attendees each year to support the empowerment of girls. Each spring, current Honey Shine Lady Bugs (members) and supporters look forward to wearing their favorite hat and partaking in a silent auction filled with great stylish items. This event also highlights Honey Bugs (girls in the program), Lady Bugs, and mentors from the current year. The Honey Shine Mentoring Program encourages the balance of mind, body, and soul in girls and women by providing nurturing experiences that enlighten their paths and empower their future.

WHEN: Tuesday, April 27^th, 2010, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

WHERE:    Jungle Island, Treetop Ballroom

1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami, 33132

WHO:    Tracy Wilson Mourning, founder of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program and a dozen “Honey Bugs” showcasing their talents on the catwalk

ATTEND:   RSVP by April 19^th, 2010 to Andrea Graham at andrea@honeyshine.org or (305) 476-0095, extension 106.  Tickets cost $125 and memberships begin at $250.  Parking is available at $4 per car.

We will serve nearly 2000 Homeless and Needy a great meal.  Many will receive showers, haircuts, foot washing and podiatry care.

WHO:    The Miami Rescue Mission and Broward Outreach Centers (Miami, Hollywood and Pompano) along with their 500 volunteers will treat the homeless and needy to a wonderful “Thanksgiving in April” dinner on Good Friday plus foot washing and podiatry care from Barry University. 

WHAT: Miami Rescue Mission  - We expect to serve dinner to over 1200 homeless and needy people and they will be treated to free showers starting at 8:00 am, with festivities starting at 10:00 am and continuing to 1:00 pm. Entertainment will be provided by our own Regen Singers and other live groups. For the children there will be a clown, Velcro wall, bounce house, cotton candy machine, slide, sno cones, and popcorn. The children will receive Easter baskets filled with teddy bears, toys and candy. Barry University podiatry students will offer foot care to the homeless and needy. Community Blood Centers of South Florida will have their Blood mobile on the street starting at 10:30 am. All blood donors will receive a mini physical, t-shirt, Improv comedy club tickets, sub sandwiches and snacks. Homeless and needy will also be given Hope Totes filled with hygiene items, and one bag of clothes during a clothing give-a-way.

  Broward Outreach Center Hollywood – The festivities will begin at 9:00 am and continue until 1:00 pm.  Each of the expected 200 homeless men, women and children will be served a great lunch and will be given a Hope Tote filled with hygiene items. Entertainment will be provided by Living Word Open Bible Church and Urban League Youth Group.  The Easter Bunny will give Easter Baskets filled with stuffed animals, toys and candy to the children and there will be an Easter Egg Hunt. There will be clothing and sock giveaways, free HIV testing courtesy of Holy Cross Hospital, and foot care will be provided by Barry University podiatry students. 

  Broward Outreach Center Pompano – The nearly 400 expected homeless men, women and children will be treated to festivities beginning at 9:00 am and continuing until 1:00 pm. There will also be Hope Tote giveaways, haircuts, showers, HIV testing, blood pressure checks, and a wonderful meal and Barry University podiatry students will give foot care. Entertainment will be provided by Calvary Chapel Church. There will be a bounce house, cotton candy and bubble machine, face painting and the children will also be treated to Easter Baskets filled with goodies!

WHEN:    Good Friday, April 2^nd, 2010 (See special times above)

WHERE: Miami Rescue Mission 2020 N.W. 1^st Avenue, Miami, FL  33127

 Broward Outreach Center/Hollywood 2056 Scott Street, Hollywood, FL 33022

 Broward Outreach Center/Pompano 1700 Blount Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33069

WHY:    Rev. Ronald Brummitt, President of the Miami Rescue Mission and Broward Outreach Centers says, “In this very difficult economy, we are so happy to be able to provide meals and other necessities to our homeless and needy here in South Florida on Good Friday.  We want our homeless to know that they are not forgotten and that we love them. We wash the feet of the homeless and needy in the very same spirit of Jesus Christ who humbly washed the feet of his disciples as a gesture of love and thanksgiving.”      

Since 1922 the Miami Rescue Mission (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) has served the needy men, women, and children of South Florida.  Every day nearly 1000 homeless are provided with food, shelter, clothing, education, job training, spiritual direction and long-term rehabilitation programs in Miami, Hollywood and Pompano. The mission also has at-risk after-school and summer day camp youth programs. For additional information go to:

www.miamirescuemission.com or www.browardoutreachcenter.com

From Ollie's Daughter:

30 Rock's Dot Com, Tracy Morgan and Al Roker?

 
Kevin Brown 30 Rock's Dot Com (aka Uptown Kevin Brown) opened for Tracy Morgan this past week (March 25th-28th, 2010 prior to Passover) at Carolines America's Premier Comedy Nightclub on Broadway.

The audience embraced  Dot Com and the level of excitement was on par with that of the Democrats passing  the Healthcare reform bill... I can only imagine it must be the same reaction for Dot Com as that of VPOTUS Joe Biden " it was a big f***ing deal".  

Tracy Morgan is "SIZZLING" right now: what with his starring role in the movie "Cop Out" with A-lister Bruce Willis;  his about to be released movie "Death at a Funeral";  the big VW commercial: Slug Bug Punching Game; his recently released book " I am the New Black"; him starring in the 5th season of the award winning 30 Rock ; A-listers i.e.  Danny Glover and  Tina Fey  imitating him on various shows ( greatest form of flattery)...and his comedy routine on the road!  What the what?

Dot Com expressed himself on twitter dotcom30rock and facebook  Kevin Brown aka Dot Com  about his Carolines experience.....

@dotcom30rock  I did my 1st show at Carolines one Bdway tonight... It was allot of fun thanks and Bigups to Tracy Morgan for putting me on...

@dotcom30rock  Now that we got that we got the first show out the way Its time to go HARD 2morrow nite... 

@dotcom30rock  We just ROCKED the 1st show at Carolines, we're gonna DESTROY this 2nd one... LOL 

deedeekanhai Just left @Carolines and @TracyMorgan & @dotcom30rock KILLED it!!! "Tell Al Roker..."

@dotcom30rock  I am shocking the whole audience, because they don't know Dot Com is a comedian

I had the opportunity to ask questions of  DD who attended the show.  

OD:  Did you know Dot Com was a Stand-up Comedian? 

DD: I did read something about Dot Com being a Comedian in Tracy Morgan's book... But, for the most part I know Dot Com from 30 Rock...

(OD's reaction- did not know Tracy mentioned Dot Com in his book.  Must now  read his book!! )

OD: Did Dot Com meet your expectations as a Comedian?

DD:  Dot Com was hysterical... He had great energy and the crowd LOVED him... I am sure I am speaking for everyone in the room, he was a HIT and held his own!

OD: What quip/joke did you like the most from Dot Com....

DD: I loved his "lojack story"  (hmm!)

OD: How would you characterize Dot Com's opening and hosting for Tracy?

DD:  He is a great opener for Tracy Morgan... I would say that the people in the audience were 30 Rock fans by the reaction to the mention of the show... AND it was a pleasant surprise that he was opening... IF the story he told about AL ROKER and how he came to open for TM was true, it was funny as s%5...... He does a great TM impression!

DD:  Get him on HOWARD STERN... I would love to hear that interview...  

Twitter buzz with other comments about Dot Com at Carolines....
 
@bretkovacs: I got roasted by Dot Com at the Tracy Morgan show tonight.

@draketex Front row seats to Tracy Morgan tonight at Caroline's. @Dotcom30rock was the MC and "picked" on me all night. Best night out in ages.

Sidebar: Ted Murphy CEO of IZEA (Sponsored Tweets) spent time with #30rockgrizzanddotcom while in Manhattan last week and ustreamed a Q&A with Dot Com.  Grizz joined them later....

Birthdays of 30 Rock cast: Alec Baldwin April 3rd, Kevin Brown aka Dot Com April 4th and Grizz Chapman April 16th  Grizz Chapman aka Grizz on 30 Rock and @grizzanddotcom

Dot Com  DOIN BIG THINGS!!!!

March 10, 2010 Miami, FL- Celebrity chef Paul Griffith and renown art gallery curator Bernice Steinbaum will be hosting a gala May 1, 2010 to benefit Little Haiti based Art Studio Miami (ASM).  The gala will be held at the Bernice Steinbaum Gallery in the Wynwood Art District, 3550 North Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33127.  All proceeds from the event will benefit programs for youth impacted by the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti.  Tickets and sponsorships for the event are available for sale at www.ASMHelpLittleHaiti.org.

ASM annually serves approximately 200 youth from the impoverished area of Little Haiti, and staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to serve the needs of youth that have lost family and friends. 

ASM has been at the center of the Haitian relief efforts since the earthquake.  Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) addressed news crews the week after the disaster at the City of Miami’s staging area for Haiti relief, located directly across the street from ASM.  Meek called for local organizations to provide leadership and support during the long period of rebuilding.

 “South Florida is in this for the long haul; this will be the center for the recovery. . . we are going to need leadership and understanding,'' said Meek.

In response to Meek’s appeal, ASM volunteers and staff have been working around the clock to serve youth impacted by the earthquake, doubling programs for at-risk youth.  To offset the costs of increased programs, celebrity chef Paul Griffith, best known to followers as Chef Paul, and renown gallery owner Bernice Steinbaum, are hosting Art Studio Miami’s innagural gala, Art of the Palate.  Funds from the event will benefit services and programs at ASM. 

“In the wake of this disaster, people are forgetting that many Haitian people who have already immigrated to Miami are in desperately impoverished conditions, living below the poverty level, which in several cases means homelessness, no running water, and little to no food or water,” said Degi.  “Chef Paul and Bernice Steinbaum are stepping in to support our efforts to provide opportunities for youth to thrive despite challenges arising from this disaster.”

Since 2007, ASM has served over 500 youth from Little Haiti and Overtown using creative, art based projects to nurture students’ creative thinking abilities and prepare them for classroom settings and job situations.  The organization partners with professional artists and community leaders to provide students with mentors and concrete tools to remain in school, and gain stable employment after graduation. 

Event sponsors include Bernice Steinbaum Gallery, Chef Paul, These Are All Our Children, DUO Magazine, IRREVERSIBLE Magazine, University of Miami HOPE Public Resource Center, The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division LSD, Shop2Donate, Orange Stain Productions, Make Art Matter, and Mount Degi & Associates.  

For more information please contact Beth Degi, Art Studio Miami at 786.250-ART1 or Beth@ArtStudioMiami.org.

For more information visit www.ASMHelpLittleHaiti.org.  To view ASM programs in action watch the ASM video at www.blip.tv/file/2124377.

  Saturday, April 10, 2010

WHAT: CLOAK Apparel, Inc. will be launching their new collection “CLOAK+LOVE,”  benefiting the earthquake victims in Haiti in a multi-faceted fashion event. The event will be a celebration of the beauty of Haitian culture and aims to raise funds for Peacemakers’ Peace for Haiti – Earthquake Relief humanitarian effort, which is the perfect collaboration of several organizations coming together to provide urgent aid for Haiti.

WHO:    The anticipated “CLOAK + LOVE” fashion event will combine fashion, music and art to create a mosaic of unity and love for the socially conscious fashionista. Since 2008, CLOAK has supported organizations focused on Haiti relief. With an unwavering passion to give back to the community, CLOAK will be raising the funds through donations collected for entry into the event and auctioned artwork to benefit Peacemakers’ Peace for Haiti – Earthquake Relief humanitarian effort, which is the perfect collaboration of several organizations coming together to provide urgent aid for Haiti. The event will feature an edgy fashion exhibition. Performances inspired by Haiti will from artists such as: renowned Haitian spoken word artist and activist, Mecca aka Grimo, choreographer, Angela Lowe, esteemed recording artist Jowee Omicil, and surprise guests. Fine artist, Terrance Wilson will be doing a live painting throughout the event and music will be provided by Zack of Element DJs. David D. Jaded will provide hair styling. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive painting which will be auctioned off to benefit Peace for Haiti. CLOAK will also promote their “Give One, Get One” campaign, which will donate one shirt for every shirt purchased from a select line for the Haiti initiative.

WHEN:     Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 7 p.m.

WHERE:     Moore Building in Design District, 4040 N.E. 2^nd Ave. Ste. 103, Miami, FL 33137

COST:     $10 will be collected for entry into the event of which 100% will be donated to Peace for Haiti, who will be onsite at the event. Donation is not mandatory for press.

Congressional candidate Corey Poitier is trying to clean up the comment he made at a recent Broward Republican Executive Committee Meeting when he referred to President Barack Obama as Buckwheat. Poitier is the lone Republican candidate in the race for the U.S. Congressional seat currently held by Kendrick Meek. Surely, this is not the publicity Poitier desired.

Now, in fairness, Poitier apologized for his comment. He also danced around a rather lame defense of his words. Poitier's words are just as offensive, if not more so, coming from a black man about another black man. His opinion about Obama's health care plan is one thing; his racist words, quite another.

My friend and classmate, William "DC" Clark is among the five individuals to be recognized as an African-American Achiever at the annual celebration sponsored by JM Family Enterprises, Southeast Toyota and JM Lexus. Congratulations to "DC" and all of this year's honorees.

The four distinguished individuals, chosen from more than 114 nominees, will be honored for their contributions to South Florida at the 2010 African-American Achievers awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 14, at 6:15 p.m. at the Broward County Convention Center. This year's Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever will also be announced and presented that evening by The Jim Moran Foundation.

The 2010 adult African-American Achievers and their respective categories are:

Perry Stokes – Arts and Culture

Leroy Jones – Business and Entrepreneurism

William "DC" Clark – Community Service

Dr. Emma Banks – Education

The 2010 honorees were selected by an independent panel of community leaders from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties that also includes former honorees. The selection committee reviewed nominations submitted after an extensive public outreach campaign. Automotive legend Jim Moran, founder of JM Family and subsidiaries Southeast Toyota Distributors and JM Lexus, established the program in 1992 to recognize community leaders who give back and inspire others in the process.

To further recognize the Achievers, JM Family, Southeast Toyota and JM Lexus annually donate $20,000 to local nonprofits - $5,000 in each adult Achiever's name to the charity(ies) of his or her choice. Look for the 2010 Achievers and their inspiring stories in public service announcements by our long-time media partners WPLG-TV Local 10, WEDR-FM 99 JAMZ and WHQTFM HOT 105, and in print advertisements throughout South Florida.

The Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever will also be presented by The Jim Moran Foundation, Inc. at the ceremony. Each year The Foundation, in partnership with Florida State University (FSU), selects a high school senior who qualifies for financial aid and has applied and received admission to FSU for the Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever award. Named in memory of 1995 African-American Achiever Jerome Edmund Gray, Esq., the award is a needs-based, four-year scholarship to FSU with funding provided through the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship at FSU.

RSVP

The community is encouraged to attend the awards ceremony. To RSVP, log on to http://www.africanamericanachievers.com or call 866-516-2497. The deadline is April 9.

Group Photo -- From left to right, the 2010 African-American Achievers: Leroy Jones, Business and Entrepreneurism; William "DC" Clark, Community Service; Dr. Emma Banks, Education; and Perry Stokes, Arts and Culture. The Jerome Edmund Gray Youth Achiever will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 14 at the Broward County Convention Center.

To learn more, visit http://www.africanamericanachievers.com or become a fan on Facebook.

It was also delightful to see long-time family friend, Elizabeth Jackson Wesley, featured in the invitation.

2010 Selection Committee: C. Ron Allen; Sonya Burrows; George Gadson; Shamele Jenkins and Keondra Pierre-Eafford

Miami, Florida --- For the first time since its inception in 1989, and thanks to a personal appeal made in 2009 by School Superintendent Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho, the Posse Foundation   began recruiting in Miami-Dade. The non-profit organization grants full scholarships based on multiculturalism through partnerships with top-tier private colleges and universities in 17 states. As a result, two of New World School of the Arts (NWSA) graduating seniors, have been granted a free pass to some of the nation’s most elite universities; proving that an education centered around the arts helps students become more socially and intellectually prepared for college, and are more appealing to recruiters.

“The training in the arts offers students a different perspective to problem solving. Research shows that student thinking is not linear and incorporates the more creative side of the brain,” explained Dr. Frederic Conde, principal of New World School of the Arts. Come this fall, Gregory Almonord and Sabrina Debrosse, both visual art students of Haitian descent, will begin their post-secondary training with the goals of becoming a heart surgeon and a foreign affairs diplomat, respectively.

The two Posse recipients, selected alongside 28 others, from a group of 800 countywide nominees, have already commenced bonding, training and consolidating leadership skills through the program’s pre-collegiate sessions occurring weekly. Three Miami-Dade Posses of 10 members each will attend the University of Pennsylvania, Hamilton College and Mount Holyoke College, all with scholarships worth up to $200,000 each. “It’s an incredible network, and I think my life now can be a great success story,” said Mr. Almonord, ranked 6^th in his NWSA 2010 graduating class. He excitedly recalls picking up his mother and jumping up and down with her, as both their eyes filled with tears when they heard the news of his Posse selection. “She knows that I’m going to do what I have to do to make this work,” remarked Almonord of this life changing opportunity.

The Foundation’s track-record demonstrates that underrepresented, high-achieving, self motivating students will remain in college through graduation, at higher rates, if they can share the process with members of their own group. In other words, a posse that stays together succeeds together. Posse scholars boast a 90% graduation rate, compared to the 57% national standard rate. This means that successful completion of an undergraduate program not only  improves for applicants of multicultural backgrounds  but also for other  ethnicities or races, including Caucasians, despite the institution’s cultural composition. Students that can rely on ready-made support groups report feeling a higher sense of worth.

Miami-Dade nominees were identified by counselors and principals of public high schools, with attention to diversity and high academic standards. The selection process was arduous, according to Ms. Debrosse, who emerged as a team leader through a project building process which included writing Public Service announcements (PSA). She was able to guide the group thanks to the value other students placed on her arts background, backed by NWSA’s sterling reputation. “They knew about its national ranking,” she indicated.

The students’ parents never attended college but all placed great importance on schooling. Both faced financial obstacles in attending university and named their mothers as the single-most influence in their lives. Ms. Debrosse, one of 9 siblings, for years cared for a bedridden grandmother. “I think the transition for me would be so hard, I might not have stayed”, referring to the challenges of living away from family, or the support of her Posse. “Both would be as successful, but they would’ve struggled financially. They may have had to work to get through school, which could have an impact on their drive and ability complete the program” added Dr. Conde about this unique opportunity. “I have to do well. Ivy League is such a myth” expressed Mr. Almonord, and one which the Posse Foundation hopes to turn into reality for up to 6,000 students by 2020. 

Photo courtesy of NWSA

Business Development: Expanding your Financial & Economic Growth Opportunities

Friday March 26^th, 2010

MIAMI, FL - The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce presents its latest Business Empowerment Networking Series (BENS) installment, Business Development: Expanding your Financial & Economic Growth Opportunities. The session will be held at Parrot Jungle on Friday, March 26, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This networking series will feature a panel discussion on how to expand financial and economic growth to businesses that will include prominent business leaders in Miami-Dade County. 

The luncheon will feature keynote speaker, Bernadette Morris, CEO/President of Sonshine Communications, Inc., a full-service Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations firm. Morris is the owner of Black PR Wire, America's first and largest black news media distribution service. She has had over 25 years of experience in the communications arena. Morris was previously the Associate Dean and Public Affairs Director for Miami-Dade College, a children's programming producer and a writer and producer with PBS/NPR affiliates. The panelists attending are Miami-Dade County School Board Superintendent, Alberto M. Carvalho; Dr. Rose Barefield-Cox, Office of Compliance and Business Services; Miami-Dade County Small Business Development Office, Director, Penelope Townsley; City of Miami Gardens Economic Development Director, Antranette Pierre

"This is a wonderful opportunity for the small businesses in the South Florida community to dialogue with individuals representing organizations that can assist them through the certification and procurement process, which is often tedious, and can lead to miscommunication between the small business and the organization", commented Bill Diggs, President, Miami Dade Chamber of Commerce . "Our Business Empowerment Networking Series will bridge the gap and will provide information on economic development opportunities."

The networking series is open to the public and is $20 for chamber members and $30 for non-members.  Exhibition space for your business is also available for $30 for members and $40 for non-members; however, space is limited.

For more information and to register for the event, contact The Chamber at 305-751-8648. Event and information registration is also available at www.m-dcc.org. Media inquiries should be directed to Circle of One Marketing, 305-576-3790

About Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce:

The Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1974 and leads the way towards long-term business prosperity, by providing advocacy, networking, resources, and training to men and women in South Florida. The Chamber's mission is to provide a world of business opportunities and bring the business community together to exchange goods and services and to promote interaction and communication mutually beneficial to all businesses involved. To learn more about the Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce and membership opportunities call 305.751.8648 or visit our web site at www.m-dcc.org