Haiti Disaster Relief

My heart and prayers go out to those effected by this tragic event and as painful as it is to see these photos I'm hoping that as rich a nation that we are we can make a huge difference. I remember when my "okay" house burned down December 16th, 2008 we lost almost everything. But through donations, insurance, and restoration our house is better than it was before. My point is that sometimes it takes a disaster to open the eyes of others and to make a difference.

Click on this blog's title to get footage on what happened and what's going on. Also, you can click here as well:
Haiti Disaster Blog

How You Can Help:

The Red Cross started a program today allowing the public to donate $10 by texting “Haiti” to 90999. Music artist Wyclef Jean is also running a mobile donation campaign for his charity Yele. If you text ‘Yele’ to 501 501, $5 dollars will be donated. Both programs automatically add the charges to your cellphone bill.

Also, if you have clothing that you cannot fit or do not wear anymore please don't throw it away! Call the Salvation Army. What you may consider "trash" could be someone else's "treasure"

Please be careful of online relief and charity scams! It's sad that people would even try to take advantage of the disaster by running false charities.

ATE Clothing Online

Sooo I've been supporting ATE since my ending Freshmen year at VCU in 2008 because the mission behind it is sincere and the logo is pretty sweet. Plus the guy who began the ATE movement (Esmel Meeks) is pretty down-to-earth. I could sit here and type of a whole history of the line, BUT this excerpt from the Info portion of the site sums it up. Also, to go to the site just click the title of this post. =)

"ATE, the acronym for Ancient Thread Empire, is a newly launched high-end street wear brand that is rapidly making noise in both the local and mainstream fashion realms. Established by Esmel Meeks, a Virginia Beach native and a fashion entrepreneurship major at Virginia Commonwealth University, the ATE label aims to carry on the legacy of the pioneering street wear brands while encouraging an innovation and influential originality of its own. ATE prides itself on guaranteeing quality over quantity by taking calculated time to utilize only the finest threads, to hand-sew every tag, and to ensure all garments are printed in the United States. The fashion style of ATE aims to be the beacon of individuality, inspiration, and growth.

ATE is much more than a clothing line: Our mission is to not only provide the world with a fresh element of fashion by any means necessary, but to pursue philanthropy for the people with an equal amount of passion and dedication. With each transaction of ATE merchandise, a percentage of that sale will automatically be contributed to our very own Achievement Through Education Foundation, which provides tuition scholarship for underprivileged students. Our clientele look good but feel even better about our product knowing they benefited a powerful cause. In essence, ATE personifies the fusion of style, generosity, and education. We are the product of fashion’s ever-evolving, diverse culture and the influential youth of the past and present generations.

Inspiration: ATE’s conceptual roots originated from biblical scripture. When Eve “ATE” the apple in the Garden of Eden, Mankind and thus clothing were spawned.

Genesis 3:6-7, “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ATE™ it. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they realized they were naked.”

Thanks, Eve!

Enjoy ATEclothing.com— the site of fashion, exclusive interviews with the artistically influential elite, updates of the brand’s charitable benefactions, and progress."

-Copyrights to ATEClothing.com

Back on New Years Eve

Im off hiatus and Ive had a few random life experiences between May and December that made me consider putting this blog to use NOW. PLUS, I want to get one in before 2010 hits! But anyway, as time goes by I would like to use this blog to express who I am, my passion in helping others, and spreading the knowledge in whatever because Knowledge is POWER. You will find out why I have chosen to call this blog iCurl4CentricLuv soon...but for now Happy New Years! =P

Breast Cancer Awareness Month at VCU

October month was Breast Cancer month and there were so many events that took place at VCU and in the Richmond area. Unfortunately, I was not able to participate in any walks, but I did donate some money under the Theta Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Soroity, Incorporated team for the cause and I was able to attend events where people could express how they felt and what they had experienced (directly/indirectly). Most events were catered by the Theta Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Soroity, Incorporated who hosted Color Me P.I.N.K. Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Open-Mic Night of Pink. These ladies worked hard and in the end it payed off.

Now...One thing that struck me was the discussion of marketing Breast Cancer. While White women are more likely to be diagnosed with it, Black women are more likely to die from it--but there are other cancers taking out people in higher numbers than Breast Cancer.

Why don't we have ribbons for lung cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, etc? A lot of people are unaware or misinformed of these cancers and I feel that there needs to be more awareness.

So, what are we going to do about it...I'm still pondering because I am only one person, but please believe my future profession is in the health-field and I plan to do something about it.

Richmond Walk For Lupus

This is another event I was able to participate in today on October 31st, 2009! It was raining but the most rewarding thing for me was just being at the track and being able to support the cause. I wish I had pictures, but because of the rain I was not going to damage my already sensitive camera so this will have to be something I remember. [BUT, I wish I had a raincoat and a huge umbrella because I was soaked LoL]

Eventually, I will update this blog to see how much was made with the goal of $50k. Hopefully, the goal was reached or surpassed because there was a plethora of supporters there!

UPDATE: November 20th, 2009--"The Richmond Walk for Lupus Now ’09 did more than educate people about the disease. It also raised more than $58,375 in donations – surpassing the goal of $50,000. The event, one of 50 walks sponsored by the Lupus Foundation of America." [For more information about what happened that day click on the title of this blog topic]

Frequently Asked Questions about Lupus

Q: What is lupus?
A: Lupus is a rare form of tuberculosis of the skin, characterized by brownish tubercles that often heal slowly and leave scars. If you have lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system and it attacks healthy cells and tissues. This can damage joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and brain.

Q: Who gets lupus?
A: Anyone can get lupus. It is more common in African-Americans than in whites.

Q: What are some symptoms of lupus?
A: Symptoms include muscle pains, swollen glands, sensitivity to the sun and hair loss.

Copyrights and source can be referenced back to by clicking the title of this blog topic

Volunteering: Massey Cancer Fundraiser & HOGR Better Housing Coalition

Giving back to my community is one of the few things that I love to do...whenever you can make a positive difference in someone's life--big or small--do it! The feeling is rewarding. =)

Massey Cancer Fundraiser:
Around March 2009, a young woman put together a fashion show to raise money for the Massey Cancer center. We raised quite a bit of money and held an auction at the show. I had so much fun and met a lot of cool people/models.

Hands On Greater Richmond Better Housing Coalition:
Around April 2009, I was able to join my Residential Assistant, Lisa, and 2 others from my dorm downtown Richmond, VA to paint fences for the houses that needed to be renovated. It was every bit of hot, cold, and "drizzly" that day and my wrists were hurting like HECK. Hands On Greater Richmond