A few months back, I had the privilege of interviewing Miss Syreeta Gates, a Culture Creator and the author of the book ‘Just Be Cause‘. Not only is she a mentor to me, but her mission is to make young people “DOPE“. Miss Syreeta’s explains how she was inspired to write a book when she wasn’t able to find information about social entrepreneurship for herself. Here is a 2 minute video of our interview.
Another GOODIEBag Success! When I did the first mission, my mom was with me and she kept telling me that philanthropy is about giving to others to improve their lives, but it also change my life too. Back in April we arrived in Guatemala to give away 25 GOODIEBags to one class of 4th graders, this time the challenge was to give away 60, without my mom here to encourage me.
But I am happy to say, I did it! The smiles, claps and hugs from 60 kids holding their signature pink Little Miss GOODIE Bags and post cards all to smile for the camera is something I will never forget. My mom was right, it doesn’t take much to give and this has changed my life. I family who are my Little Miss Goodie Ambassadors came dressed in their PINK and helped with handing out GOODIE Bags to the families of two classes of kindergarteners at the Santa Rosita elementary school in Guatemala.
We can combat poverty! With as little as $25 you can bless someone less fortunate today! Thank you to everyone who donated to the cause and to the LMG Board of Directors who are helping to take this initiative to the next another level. We are the generation that has to teach the next generation to GIVE!
With the success of the first GOODIE Bag launch in Guatemala during the month of April, I decided to return and give food to triple the families at an elementary school in Santa Rosita.
My family came together to help me fill 60 bags, together my Little Miss Goodie Ambassadors got the job done!
Helping others can be the best thing to bring can be good for the soul. We laughed and talked while we worked; it was good to know my family was willing to take time off to support the GOODIEBag project
Each pink signature GOODIE Bag contained basic necessities that was packed with love , with the hope of making a positive difference for those living in poverty. …Be Inspired to GIVE!
My mom is a principal at Mott Hall Bridges Academy, in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Everyday on the news there are stories about violence and nothing positive for her scholars to share. Working together with Miss Michaela angela Davis, the girls came up with Be Cool. Be Kind. a pro-kindness campaign that empowers the youth to support each other instead of tearing each other down like they see on TV or in social media.
This year I sponsored the event by providing the sidewalk chalk that the girls used to write positive words and phrases that celebrate being “GOOD” and not a bully who is mean. I was extremely excited to meet CoCo and Breezy! My Auntie Sharifa told me about their story on Thanksgiving after we gave food to the homeless. I was upset about how people talked about my weight and she shared that she had been mentoring these young ladies who were unique and super talented. She told me that they were bullied as kids and liked wearing sunglasses as kids, which they now create and have turned into a company. I looked them up online and watched their YouTube videos and she was right! They had their own style and didn’t need any one telling them how fly they were, because they really are! (Stay tuned I’m going to work on getting an interview with them soon).
With a little over 100 girls, from 7 to 15, we were broken groups to take part in workshops with counselors to talk about leadership, love, family and what it means to Be Cool and Be Kind. It was really good and we all shared.
At the end of the day we went out for the ultimate playdate! Where we played double dutch (MY FAVORITE), basketball, and wrote positive quotes and words in celebration of being girls who just want to have fun.
Whether you are a girl or boy, you should it’s so important to love who you are and what makes you different. It’s not cool or kind to talk about people because of their race, weight, height, where they are from, religion, or how they dress. We all have things that make us different. Bullies BEWARE!!!! The person you hurt could one day be someone you need who will never forget how you treated them. It’s so much better to be nice to other than give the energy in being a HATER. Oh and cyberbullying is not cool and it is a crime. Use your talents for writing and make it into a career. ‘Spread Love it’s the GOODiE Way!”
Sunday, May 4th, in Williamsburg, I attended a benefit for 14 Plus Foundation B at Baby’s Alright. Founded by Joseph Mizzi and Nchimunya Wulf, the purpose was to raise money to help build schools and orphanages for children in Zambia, Africa. The donation that was a minimum of
and her styling geniuses, Lizzy and Darlene Okpo of William Okpo, a designer collection. I was impressed by all of their style and they were surprised at my age! I appreciated their words of encouragement to, “Keep up the GOOD work”.
The one and only Shaun Ross, took me by the hand and told me to work the room. Great minds think alike, can’t you tell the connection with the colors of our clothes?
I’ve known Miss Samantha Black when I was probably 5 or 6 years old. She has what I call a unique style that is fun and flirty, which is why she was on Project Runway’s Season 11. I appreciate her remembering me and being a role model for girls my age who have an interest in fashion.
Ms. Camara is talent you can’t “beat”! Literally, she is a make-up artist and works with celebrities as well as the everyday woman. She is so COOL!
It was a great event with people who gave from the heart. Remember you can make a difference to those less
Youth Summit, for Mount Zion church in Jamaica, Queens.
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At first I was feeling nervous, since it was my first time having an audience without other people being the same stage. But once I began to speak, I felt comfortable and gained
confidence with sharing why Little Miss Goodie was created. I also explained how I learned from my mistakes of using social media without my mother’s permission.
After viewing a snippet of the Melissa Hariss-Perry Show on MSNBC the group and I discussed how images of black women are portrayed on social media and television. I shared the importance of social media and and how to set the standard to create a positive image online. The women gave me compliments and shared that I inspired them to follow their passion and to be mindful of the images that they put up today can affect them in the future.
Oranges, Yellows, Reds, and Greens. Just some of the vibrant shades that color the beautiful country of Guatemala. Artifacts still made by hand it takes patience and careful attention to detail.
Traveling on the road throughout Guatemala we find women hurrying to their destination.
Volcanos are quiet giants that are beautiful to see, but have destroyed towns within Guatemala.
Spending quality time with family who I haven’t seen in a year, makes me live, love, and appreciate meaning of life. I miss them all already!