Baby Bash and Bling Expo & Show Details

What: Baby Bash and Bling Expo & Show is an interactive lifestyle expo celebrating expecting moms! Discover new and interesting parenting tools, health and safety products, fashion trends, nutrition tips, and baby furnishings while viewing the “Bump the Runway”™ maternity fashion show. Enjoy an afternoon of signature Pregginista Punch™, swag bags, hors d’ oeuvres, and an opportunity to visit the candy and cupcakes corner to satisfy your bump cravings.

• NBC 4 Morning News Anchor and creator of Oh My Goff TV, Angie Goff will serve as mistress of ceremonies.
• Actress and celebrity mommy Tia Mowry will be doing a special book signing in conjunction with the launch of her first book OH, BABY!: Pregnancy Tales and Advice from One Hot Mama to the Next. Oh, Baby! is a pregnancy guide where Tia leaves no topic off limits while helping expectant moms stay empowered, pampered, and laughing out loud.

When: Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 12p.m. to 4p.m.

Where: Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, 2800 South Potomac Avenue, Arlington, VA 22202

To purchase tickets online visit http://dcticketsbabybashandbling.eventbrite.com.

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Presents

A Cast Meet & Greet Benefit of the movie:

“THE SKINNY”

Flimmaker PATRIK-IAN POLK of “PUNKS” & “NOAH’S ARC”

(the series and movie) returns to the big screen with his latest feature film

As a precursor to the movie’s exclusive one-week DC engagement at the E Street Theater, beginning Friday, April 6, 2012, DC’s MOST FABULOUS Magazine will be hosting an intimate meet and greet with the cast of The Skinny, on Thursday, April 5, 2012. This event will a complementary wine/champagne cocktail per attendee, The Skinny inspired specialty cocktails throughout the evening, music and meet & greet/photo ops with the cast.

Current Lounge/Rosebar

1215 Connecticut Ave. NW

Washington, DC

Thursday, April 5, 2012

6:00 – 9:00 PM

http://rosebarlounge.com/

Cost:

* Complemenatary

w/ the purchase of a premiere movie ticket to The Skinny. PUCHASE TICKETS HERE

$10.00 without the purchase of a ticket.

* receipt confirmation # is required at the time the Meet & Greet ticket purchase.  Please check movie ticket email confirmation for number.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT

A portion of the proceeds with benefit:

About the Movie:

From the director of cult classics PUNKS and NOAH’S ARC, comes the much-anticipated third feature film from Patrik-Ian Polk THE SKINNY, a sharply scripted comedy about a group of four young, black, gay men Magnus, Sebastian, Kyle, Joey and their lesbian best friend, Langston. They arrange to meet up in New York City one year after their graduation from Brown University. Their plans for a weekend of fun start off well, relaxed in each other’s company as only old friends can be. But old tensions quickly resurface.

Drinking, drugs, hidden desire and the demands of promiscuity put friendship, trust and even lives at risk. In between sharp one-liners and a great soundtrack there’s a few important lessons that these pleasure-seekers must learn for themselves. Written with a real sense of the demands of urban living, these bright and believable characters will remind you of someone you know. Remaining true to his past work, Polk addresses issues in THE SKINNY that face the LGBT community such as date-rape, infidelity, and HIV/AIDS awareness.

The film stars Jussie Smolett, Blake Young-Fountain, Anthony Burrell, Shanika Warren-Markland and Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman. Supporting cast includes alumnus of Polk’s past features such as Darryl Stephens (“Noah’s Arc”), Jennia Fredrique (“Noah’s Arc”), Wilson Cruz (“Noah’s Arc”) and Seth Gilliam (“Punks”). Also, the film introduces new actors Dustin Ross and internet sensation B. Scott.

For more info visit www.theskinnymovie.com

To SEE PHOTOS from this event, please CLICK HERE

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For more info on the Bennett Career Institute CLICK HERE.

For more info on the C. Allen Morning Show, CLICK HERE.

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Top 10 Finalists with DC-CAP President and CEO Argelia Rodriguez, Celeb Judges Dionne Warwick, Rickey Minor, Debbie Allen, DC-CAP Board Chairman and Gala Co-Chair Don Graham & DC-CAP Board Member and Gala Co-Chair Catherine B. Reynolds

On Monday, March 5, 2012, the DC College Access Program (DC-CAP) held its fourth annual DC-CAPital Stars Talent Competition and A Night of DC-CAPital Stars Gala.  The event, which was held at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, showcases the artistic abilities of college-bound students in Washington, DC’s public and charter schools.  The talent competition was a culmination of a 3-month talent search that began in November 2011.  In January 2012, the top 41 semi-finalists were posted to the DC-CAP website for the public to vote.  After more than 5,000 votes and input from a local panel of independent professional vocalist, dancers, musician and educators from the metropolitan area, the top 10 finalist were selected.  Those finalists performed for the audience & celebrity judges, who voted via an electronic voting device throughout the evening.  The top 3 winners received scholarships for 4K, 6K & 10K toward their first year of college.

DC-CAPital Stars Celebrity Judge Dionne Warrick watches one of the performers

The evening’s opening number was a Tribute to Disco with a melody of 70’s hits and included all 41 semi-finalist.  It set the tone for the high energy and extremely talented finalist to take the stage.  The event’s master of ceremonies was ABC7/WJLA-TV News Anchor Leon Harris and boasted celebrity judge heavy hitters Dionne Warwick, Debbie Allen & Rickey Minor, musical director for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and six seasons of American Idol.  While the judges were impressive, there was no doubt that everyone was there to see and support our youth and the mission the DC-CAP.   DC-CAP not only continues to show us that the arts are very much alive and well in the DC school system but they also encourage student’s artistic expression while highlighting the importance of attending and graduating from college.

DC-CAP President and CEO Argelia Rodriguez announces the winner first place winner Niya Norwood

The top honors of the evening went to DC student’s Paris McMillian, a 14-year old vocalist and 9^th grader at Wilson High School who took 3^rd place, 18-year old drummer and Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts senior Corbin Johnson who took 2^nd place & Niya Norword, a 18 year of vocalist and another senior at Duke Ellington who celebrity judges said commanded the stage with such confidence and elegance.  Norword took top honors winning the $10,000 scholarship toward her first year of college.  Throughout the performances, DC-CAP also honored first Afro American woman to be named as a HS Varsity Football Coach, biology teacher Natalie Randolph, of Coolidge High School in DC and Bill Marriott to name a couple.  The evening was sponsored by His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates.

Don Graham, DC-CAP Board Chairman and Gala Co-Chair Presents Bill Marriott with an award recognizing his leadership role in creating DC-CAP and also commitment to DC Youth and furthering their education

After the DC-CAPital Stars Competition guest were invited to the Gala Celebration in the South Gallery, Roof Terrance of the Kennedy Center.  The event boasted a live band, a troop of Soul Dancers, passed and buffet-style appetizers, open bar/passed drinks and plenty of dancing.  The unquestionable highlight of the gala happened when newly announced Fight Night chair and DC-CAP board member, Rual Fernandez, announced that all winners of the evening’s competition will have their scholarship winnings DOUBLED.  The night was AMAZING and proceeds of the evening will toward DC-CAP programs and making college a reality for DC students. As of 2012, DC-CAP has sent 21,000 DC students to college.

Marne Levine, VP of Global Policy at Facebook, Don Graham, Raul Fernandez, DC-CAP Board Member & Philip Deutch of NGP Technology

About District of Columbia College Access Program (DC-CAP):

DC-CAP is a non-profit organization working in partnership with DC Public School and DC Charter School System that provides counseling and financial assistance to student who might otherwise never have the opportunity to attend or graduate from college.  For more information or to make a donation to DC-CAP, please visit www.dccap.org.

Photo Credit:  Hyon Smith Photography | www.hyonsmithphotography.com

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Our goal is to reach 50,000 subscribers relatively soon.  Please help us reach this goal by joining us in our Spread-the-Word Campaign.

Note:   If you’ve got a spam filter on your email account, please make sure to it’s set to allow our e-mails to come through.

Through our promotional partnership with LIVE NATION and their partner VIP NATION,  DC’s MOST FABULOUS Magazine is giving you an opportunity to win TWO tickets to MADONNA’s 2012 WORLD TOUR .  Since 4/2008, we have given out tickets to see Alisha Keys,  Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Hudson, Wanda Sykes, Robin Thicke, Beyonce, Jenifer Hudson, Lil Wayne, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton, Kem, Jahim and Raheem Devaugh Usher Raymond with special guest Trey Songz and Miguel just to name a few.  Now we are giving you a chance to see the Material Girl herself.

You can win tickets to some of the hottest concerts to hit Washington, DC, by simply spreading the word about DC’s MOST FABULOUS Magazine.  By helping us Spread The Word about DC’s MOST FABULOUS you will be eligible to receive 2 great tickets to the below upcoming events:

MADONNA 2012 World Tour

Verizon Center, Washington, DC

Sunday, September 24, 2012 @ 8:00 PM

TICKET INFORMATION: For VIP Package info CLICK HERE.

How it works:

For every 10 of your friends that you subscribe to DC’s MOST FABULOUS Magazine you get entered into once for our raffle for tickets to the above event.

To Spread the Word, have  10, 40, 60 or more of your friends up at our SUBSCRIBE page to enter their names/emails into our online subscription form.  SUBSCRIPTION IS FREE.  Once 10 or more of your friends enter your name in the “Referred By” field, we will enter you in to the raffle.  For each of the 10 friends who enters your name you’ll be entered for more opportunities to win.  The more who enter your name, the better your chances are of winning.

GOOD LUCK!!!

NOTE:  You must be a subscriber/DC’s MOST FABULOUS Individual Member yourself to participate in the promotion and receive the above tickets.

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Pictured: WWSC Founder Gayela Buynum & Guest Speaker Donna Kaufman

On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, We Will Survive Cancer (WWSC) opened the doors of the fabulous, but private, L2 Lounge for their supporters while celebrating its first benefit of the 2012 fundraising season.  The venue, normally laid back at this time in the evening, took on an energy of its own.  Cancer survivors and cancer awareness supporters packed the bar and the three lounge area enjoying the music by the DJ, signature cocktails and conversations about breast cancer awareness.

Everyone seemed to be having soo much fun that it was easy to forget the seriousness of why we were all there.  WWSC was founded by Gayela Bynum who was inspired by her daughter-in-law, Michelle Bynum, a breast cancer victim, who lost her battle in January 26, 2011. Michelle thought herself fortunate even in her dire situation to have her immediate family living nearby to assist in her care and support her husband, and their son Reid. She quickly realized that not all cancer victims had the support of her family because of distance and financial concerns.  It was a great concern to Michelle that other cancer patients she met while in treatment were less fortunate than she. It bothered her so much that other victims did not have the kind of support that she had in her family and good friends to help her through her battle. She was appalled at the number of women she met who did not have a good health insurance or none at all, who did not have the financial resources to buy wigs and turbans much less have money to pay bills and buy food for their children, when husbands abandoned them. Michelle’s vision was to create an organization that would fill those needs and make a difference in the lives of cancer victims’ families. WWSC offers emotional and financial support to help make a difference in the lives of cancer victims’ families.

The mission of this organization was only fortified by guest speaker, Donna Kaufman, when she took to the mic.  A breast cancer survivor herself, Donna has become a champion for the cause, dedicating her life to breast cancer awareness.  Formerly the vice president of the Tigerlily Foundation, Donna now heads Kill the Cancer Beast Foundation which empowers people to stop the exploitation of cancer.  Donna reminded the packed venue that breast cancer is NOT beautiful, regardless how much corporate America tried to capitalize on it.  Donna is also the spokes person for The SCAR Project – Breast Cancer is NOT a Pink Ribbon , a series of large-scale portraits of young breast cancer survivors shot by fashion photographer David Jay.  Primarily an awareness raising campaign, The SCAR Project put a raw, unflinching face on the early onset breast cancer while paying tribute to the courage and spirit of so many young women.

Considered a huge success by WWSC staff and event supporters alike, the event raised more than $11,000.00.

Photo Credit:  Michael J. Megginson

We will Survive Cancer is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2009by a group of concerned family, friends and colleagues who have experienced the devastation cancer can inflict on not only the victim, but the family of victims.  For more information or to make a donation please visit http://www.wewillsurvivecancer.org/

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Wine Tasting Benefit

On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, the ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+) & DC’S MOST FABULOUS Magazine team up again to invite you to attend the aaa+ 1st Quarterly Meeting, which is being held as a wine tasting benefit. The event is being held to raise awareness about the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which is a federal-state program designed to provide life-saving medications for people living with HIV/AIDS who are uninsured or under-insured.

Advance tickets are $25 per person, or $40 per couple. All donations are tax-deductible under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Service code.
To purchase 1 ticket in advance - click here

To purchase 2 tickets in advance - click here

To download / view flyer - click here

As of February 2nd, 2012 there were 4,575 people across twelve (12) states on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) wait lists; they are waiting to receive their live-saving medication they need to remain active, healthy, and productive members of their communities. In the meantime the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) will be working on a data collection process with the main goal of improving access to all 56 ADAPs.

For info go to Data Collection: Facts or Follies.

About ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+):

The ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the District of Columbia to promote and enhance the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and improve access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. aaa+ works with advocates, community, health care, government,  patients, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders to assure that access to services recognize and afford persons living with HIV/AIDS to enjoy a healthy life.  For more info please visit www.adapadvocacyassociation.org

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It takes a village to raise a child.  We have all heard that saying over and over again.  But what does it really mean, beyond the obvious that is?  Well one special education teacher from Anacostia High School in Washington, DC may just have the answer.  We sat down with Lina Robinson during a fundraiser for Anacostia High School’s Parent Engagement Committee (PEC), a committee that Robinson launched to bridge the communication between educators, parents & students.  The committee plans social and serious events that are geared towards bringing parents in to the school to engage with teachers and administrators.

I don’t think anyone can dispute that families and community members play key roles in helping students and schools thrive. When parents, guardians and family members feel respected and informed about their student’s life at school, they are more likely to be involved in helping their child learn.  That being said, what’s the dilemma with getting parent involved?  Robinson’s opinion hints at a disconnect in understanding when educators converse with parents.  Most of the parents of Anacostia High School students don’t have a college degree and some don’t have high school diplomas. “Many of our teachers are young, just graduated from college, White and don’t understand how to effectively communicate with the Afro-American parents” Robinson says. She says that parents feel intimidated when speaking with teachers because they don’t understand the language.  This intimidation causes parents to avoid interaction with educators.

So what does PEC do differently?  With a masters  degree in special education from Catholic University of America, Robinson is one of the more seasoned educators at Anacostia High School. At only 40ish years old she holds years of experience over many of her colleagues.   Although she has a masters degree, Robinson proudly tells us that  she speaks and understands the language of the parents being as though she grew up in South East Washington, DC community .   Her experience and understanding of the culture is the exact formula that helps Robinson connect with parents and the community.

When Robinson started the PEC her motivation and goals were simple; bring students, parents & teachers together in an environment that fosters open dialogue while keeping the students’ education in the forefront.  Has she accomplished this?  One only has to look at PEC’s last initiative which far exceeded expectations.  Wanting to do even more to make the school a key part of a community, Robinson helped coordinate distribution of turkeys with canned goods for parents to take home during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. “The 50 turkeys came from Poor Richard’s Charity. The 20 turkey vouchers came from F & L Construction Inc., a business here in the community of Anacostia on Good Hope Road” Robinson said.  A mother & daughter empowerment event is planned for January 2012.  Robinson produces the PEC’s events with funding from fundraisers, donations from the community and her personal funds.  She does all of PEC’s business on her own time and doesn’t get paid via DC Public School budget.  All and all, if there’s anyone who understands that it take a village to raise a child; it’s this special education teacher engaging parent & the community with a unique formula one event at a time.

For more information or to make a donation to the Anacostia High School’s Parent Engagement Community, please visit their Facebook page HERE.

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On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, We Will Survive Cancer (WWSC)will hold it’s first benefit of 2012.  WWSC offer emotional and financial support to help make a difference in the lives of cancer victims’ families.

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