IMPACT supporters have been given the opportunity to RSVP to the Art+Fashion Show mixer (in particular).  IMPACT supporters can RSVP for complimentary admission here: http://urbaneworldwide.com/impact This the pre-party social to the Young Guru DJ set listed below that we also encourage you to attend.

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DC’s #1 Party DJ & Jay-Z’s DJ Under One Roof on Sat April 30th.

Two Amazing DJs. One Night. One Dance Floor. One Party.

Wash, D.C. (April – Mark your Calendars. Party people prepare. For the first time-ever Jay-Z’s DJ ‘Young Guru’ will come to Wash, DC to rock the party crowd along with DC’s #1 Party DJ, DJ Quicksilva. The event will take place on Saturday, April 30^th, at Café Asia in downtown DC.

Presented by Urbane Lifestyle & Entertainment Group, the concept behind the party is to create a unique Saturday night experience.  Experience is the key word. Inspired by Gentleman Jack ‘s ‘Art, Beats & Lyrics’, the event will feature an art+fashion show with a transition to an ultimate DJ party experience. Nzinga Smith of Urbane DC will co-produce the art+fashion show alongside Dana James & Kenyatta Smith. Kenyatta is a former Fashion Market Editor for Giant Magazine and fashion stylist for numerous magazines including GQ, Elle, Uptown Magazine, and Marc Ecko Ad Campaigns. A few local, national, & International designers will participate in the show. Internationally, one designer based in London and a Toronto clothing designer will be featured. Doors open at 9pm.

DJ Quicksilva will DJ during the art+fashion show and transition into the late night party. Young Guru will take center stage shortly after midnight. The self-titled ‘DMVs Party Kingpin’. DJ Quicksilva, has been partying with Urbane DC for the past year. He is the resident DJ for “Park Thursdays” at Park at Fourteenth where Urbane host its weekly happy hour & late night party. Young Guru is currently in London with Jay-Z & Kanye West recording “Watch The Throne” compilation. Fresh from studio sessions, he will return to the states to bring DC an inspiring dance floor crazed, hands in the air, lose your mind, party experience.

This event targets creative and fashion-forward partyers, hip hop lovers, and dance floor enthusiast.

More details about the event will be released soon. Stay tuned to Urbane’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/urbaneent) and twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/urbaneent). Friends can RSVP in advance at dc@urbaneworldwide.com.  If you are an interested designer, model, or hip hop painter/visual artist you can contact us at nsmith@urbaneworldwide.com.

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He’s Hoping to be the Next Kansas City, MO City Councilman

Jermaine Reed is a son of Kansas City and a product of Kansas City Public Schools.  He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Over the past ten years, he has dedicated his life to empowering others to achieve their dreams by exposing them to opportunities that give many the equal footing needed for them to succeed.

Strengthening the Kansas City community has always been one of his top priorities.  Mr. Reed ‘s dedication to community organizations such as the Ad-Hoc Group Against Crime, where he serves as Chairman of the Board, and his most recent experience with Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver’s Green Impact Zone of Missouri, are clear examples of his commitment to making Kansas City a better place for all of its citizens.

Mr. Reed has also been very focused on the youth of Kansas City with his involvement with the teen talk show, Generation Rap on KPRS/HOT 103 JAMZ that focuses on issues and topics that interest today’s youth.

It has always been a lifelong desire to support the very community he grew up in by utilizing his skills and experiences to help Kansas City become a world-class city.

Jermaine Reed is dedicated and energized to take his commitment to the next level as an elected official.

Jermaine tells us why he is running:

I have decided to enter the race for the 3rd District City Council Seat of the City of Kansas City, Missouri because I have always had a strong desire to be involved in the political process, and even stronger love for helping others.  As a product of this my community, I recognize that the citizens are seeking serious candidates that understand their needs and concerns.  Our community is in desperate need of action.  The time is now – I have answered the call, and I am motivated to bring about progress in my community.

My pledge as a City Councilman is to Energize & Restore the 3^rd District.  Our plan includes….

• Creating Job Opportunities
• Improving our Neighborhoods
• Empowering our Youth

These are vital issues that need to be addressed to bring the 3^rd District BACK to its glory days and to help position Kansas City as a “world-class city.”  You can read more about my plan at: http://www.jermainereed.com/

Revitalizing the 3^rd District will not be an easy task… nor will it be a quick task…but I am willing to work hard to complete the job for my friends & neighbors of the 3^rd District in Kansas City, Missouri. I truly believe that I can help energize & restore the 3^rd District by being your City Councilman.

We thought you folks could gain better insight into why we selected our IMPACT Leaders of the Month. We will present a new presentation of these folks so we can help you learn more about the ways leaders are moving and shaking in communities all around you.

1. What made you want to be a writer?

I’ve wanted to be a writer since before I knew how to write. When I was in pre-school my mother bought me composition notebooks to color in. I have no talent for stick figures. Instead, I spent hours filling them up with squiggly lines that three-year-old insisted were words. Those were my first stories. And my mother, either a genius or just in need of an hour of silence, encouraged it. I “read” them to her, my dolls, our rabbit and soon I couldn’t see myself doing anything but.

2. What allows you to be so vulnerable in front of such a wide audience?

For me, writing is a selfish act. When I write, I write for myself first. I don’t hold my creativity hostage by worrying about who might be clutching their pearls when they read my stuff. There should be a warning on the cover of “Bitch is the New Black”: Pearls will be manhandled. My favorite book quote from Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” is about the instinctive bravado of children. The main character, a little black girl named Claudia, says, “…we had become headstrong, devious, and arrogant. Nobody paid us any attention, so we paid very good attention to ourselves. Our limitations were not known to us—then.” Since I don’t spend any time worrying about imaginary limitations they become just that—invisible.

3. What’s been the best experience of your career thus far?

When I met Shonda Rhimes (creator of “Grey’s Anatomy”) for the first time. I was so worried about how high my dress kept hiking up and what my hair was doing that when Shonda actually walked into the room, looking normal and very un-Hollywood, I forgot whatever canned pitched I had planned. So, we just chatted for an hour about nothing and everything—modern feminism, being black at an Ivy League school, motherhood, being single, working hard, and boys. When I left she said, “This is totally a movie” and that was that.

4. What’s next for you, career wise?  What should we look out for?

 

Right now I’m writing the screenplay for “Bitch is the New Black,” which was optioned by executive producer Shonda Rhimes for Fox Searchlight Pictures. The movie is still being written so it’ll be a while before the popcorn gets popped, but that’s my next big thing. In the meantime, I write a weekly column about being me for TheRoot.com called “Single-Minded.” I’ve also been marinating a few ideas for my next book, which will be another collection of essays.

5. Now that you’ve documented your 20s, what do you look forward to in your 30s?  And will you document that decade as well?

I just turned 30 and it was epic in a very small way. I spent the day contemplating why being another year older was such a big deal to everyone. I’m happy to report that my face didn’t melt off, my eggs haven’t all spoiled and no one called me “ma’am.” I’m still me just with much less tolerance for foolishness. I look forward to eradicating foolishness in the next decade of my life. As far as writing goes, I view my last book as less of a memoir and more of a collection of essays about my life (or anybody’s life that’s sorta kinda like mine). I’ve got lots more stuff to do so there are a lot of more stories to be told. I won’t wait a whole decade for the next book, instead I’ll be writing about life as I know it regularly.

6. What words of advice or encouragement would you give someone looking to follow in your footsteps?

First off, don’t follow me. Jump over me, run alongside me, or go in the total opposite direction of where I was pointing. Because in the end, all that matters is that you end up in the right place, which probably won’t look anything like the pictures in the brochure. But in terms of writing, branding, working for yourself advice, I’d say, “Be an authority.” Know what you’re talking about, know that someone else can’t talk about it like you can and that even more people give a care.

Lastly, give me three words to sum up Helena: headstrong, devious, attentive.

For immediate release

September 10, 2010

Contact: Stephanie L. Young | Stephanie@impact-dc.com | 202.552.9137

Krista Strum | Krista@impact-dc.com | 410.271.5858

IMPACT Presents

Preview 2010 – A Red Carpet Affair

Washington, DC – On Thursday, September 16, 2010, IMPACT will bring together the most influential young politicos and professionals of color to honor our nations Emerging Leaders at the 5^th Annual Preview —a Red Carpet Affair.  This exclusive reception, held during the 40^th Annual Legislative Conference for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, will celebrate the contributions these young professionals make to their communities and our nation.

Each month IMPACT highlights young leaders excelling professionally while investing in the improvement of the African American community. Thousands of votes were cast to select the “IMPACT Leader of the Year” who will be announced at Preview.

For the past four years Preview has provided emerging leaders from around the country with an intimate setting to interact with each other, Members of Congress and other notable, national leaders. More details are included below.

2010 IMPACT Leaders- http://www.impact-dc.com/impact-leaders

When: Thursday, September 16, 2010

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

For press credentials and interview requests please email:

press@impact-dc.com

Where: The Ritz-Carlton

1150 22^nd Street, N.W.

Washington, DC

Who: IMPACT presents Preview: A Red Carpet Affair

Honorary Co-Chairs include:

Senator Roland Burris, Congressman Gregory Meeks, Congressman Andre’ Carson, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, and Congresswoman Marcia Fudge

Young African American Politicos  & Professionals

About IMPACT: IMPACT is a nonprofit organization that was founded by a group of young professionals of color in 2006. IMPACT’s mission is to engage and build a network of young professionals of color to foster civic engagement, increase knowledge of the political and legislative processes, and enhance economic empowerment opportunities. For additional information about IMPACT, visit: www.IMPACT-dc.com

Le Haute Bags, Inc. was founded in 2009 by Cecily Witcher. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Cecily has worked in the fashion industry as a designer and merchandiser for handbag companies Guess, Kathy Van Zeeland, Charles David.

Le Haute Bags, Inc is an eco-friendly company that specializes in design and product supply of reusable bags. We work with a diverse range of clients that include non-profit organizations and also event planners, helping them build brand exposure while also contributing to the cause of environmentalism (and practicality for the consumer).

Le Haute Bags, Inc was formed when Cecily was directly affected by this economic crisis when the company that she was working for went bankrupt. After going on interview after interview and continuously being told the company loved her but felt she would get bored or some would flat out say with all your knowledge you should start your own company that’s exactly what Cecily did.

While on an ocean side vacation, travelers were observed using plastic bags that hotels supply for soiled laundry. These plastic bags were being used as impromptu beach bags.  Le Haute Bags, Inc. was born from this experience. Cecily decided to design a collection that will not only combine a flair for fashion and handbags but also contribute to Cecily’s environmental concerns and wiser consumer choices that will benefit our Earth.

Le Haute Bags, Inc. has been working diligently to build its brand in this strained? economy. When people ask how do you market your business when you’re a start up without a lot of capital, our answer is “you really must think outside the box, move on faith not fear.” A great example that Cecily always references for ideas is an artist who put his work on canned goods and went into very prominent grocery stores placing his cans with their canned goods. This reminds her of gorilla style marketing but it brought him free press. She still has the newspaper clipping in her office for inspiration.  When you’re passionate about what you are providing, you have to convey that passion and enthusiasm to anyone that you’re speaking with because they could be a potential client or refer you to a client.

Le Haute Bags, Inc. has utilized the NYC business solutions services. NYC business solutions offer FREE service for businesses, no matter how big or what stages you are in. NYC business solutions often host networking events. Other great networking resources are Twitter and Facebook. Le Haute Bags, Inc. is working with a large hotel chain, a connection made through social networking, so don’t be afraid to talk your brand to your friends and ask them for any referrals or ideas, remember people love to help.

There are so many resources available for small businesses and minority owned businesses; you just have to do your research. Here are some resources that may be of help: NYC business solutions, Chamber of Commerce, Minority and Women owned Business Enterprise Program,Accionusa.org”

When becoming certified as a minority owned business, many companies face the challenge of being able to afford to bid on a contract. You must have the capital to cover the cost of the project up front and then the city will pay you, but there are companies that buy invoices and will advance you the money so that you can accept the contract. All of this information was obtained for FREE by utilizing the NYC business solutions seminars.

It can be scary thinking about starting your own business but the question is: WHY?  Why are you associating fear with perusing your dream?  Never go into anything blind, so utilize the Internet for what it is “The informational highway” and start researching.  After you’ve researched, look at your product and evaluate how you can make it bigger. Cecily originally designed a handbag collection for the Caribbean and once she showed it to a friend, he said “this is great but think outside the box.”  This comment kept replaying in her head and the next morning, she awoke and put that collection to bed and started working on the eco friendly collection full throttle.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream”

Cecily T. Witcher

President, Le Haute, Inc.