First Lady Michelle Obama is a bona fide cover girl. She has been on pretty much every magazine cover looking glamorous, classy, stunning, and regal.
Her newest cover on the December issue GLAMOUR Magazine has become one of Fabulous Brown Girl's favorite! She looks fresh and beautiful in her red dress. If you LOVE the First Lady like we do, then you will definitely be picking up this issue.
I wonder how the first lady feels about being a beauty and fashion icon? Here are just a few of the FABULOUS magazine covers Michelle Obama has graced.
Also check out Mrs. Obama on the Jay Leno show via satellite from the White House! She has some comedy skills too!!
Are you obsessed with glam like we are ?! Don't feel bad, it's not a bad thing! You can never care too much about your appearance and make sure you look your best and carry yourself in that same manner..
Fabulous Brown Girl loves to shares all things chic with you... so check out this new line we came across called Purple Lab NYC. They are a fresh, new chic beauty line that target young professional trendy women like ourselves!
Their debut product is a lip gloss called "Huge Lips Skinny Hips". I think the name is so cute and it is an automatic attention getter!
Purple Lab is beginning as a lip gloss line and will transform into a lifestyle line of different fashion and beauty must haves!
So for all my girly girl, fashion forward, trendy, and glamorized Fabulous Brown Girls out there be on the look out for this great new line!
Check out this great video to learn more about the cute shades of "Huge Lips Skinny Hips"
Fabulous Brown Girl will be taking a short hiatus because your girl has to go to DC for Howard's Homecoming! DC is calling my name..
Homecoming has already started with events from an anointed Gospel Show to hilarious Comedy and a melodic Poetry show, and even a nationally renowned fashion show.
FBG will be there and promises to bring back great stories and pictures of my Alma Mater!
I can't wait to see my dear friends on the Yard during Yardfest, Cheering my football team on, and drowning myself in love from my fellow Bison!! It is a great feeling and I can't hardly wait to come home!
Trust me there is NOTHING and I Mean NOTHING like Homecoming at Howard.. I may be a little bias.. but I seriously doubt it....
BISON!!! H-U YOUUUUU KNOOOOOWWWWW!!!
To learn more about Howard University's 2009 Homecoming Click HERE
Sunday, October 17, an organization called Black Girls Rock held its 4th annual awards ceremony to honor several woman of color of their postive imagery in the media. FBG wanted to spotlight Black Girls Rock because a lot of their principles and ideals line up with those of Fabulous Brown Girl (and their name is FABULOUS) This year the honorees were Raven Simone, Naomi Campbell, Mary J Blige, and Janelle Monae
Black Girls Rock was founded out of the disdain that a lot of women of color have against hip hop "videos, magazines and other visual media." Instead of fighting these media avenues, the founder, popular female disc jockey, Beverly Bond, started Black Girls Rock as a mentoring and advocacy foundation for "at risk" female teenagers.
A major goal Black Girls Rock is dedicated to is combating the psychological effects of the negative portrayal of black women in the media by..
building girls self worth and self-esteem
broadening their horizons
and helping empower them through discussion, education, counseling, and mentorship
Take a look at the beautiful honorees!
Raven Simone, Young, Black and Gifted Award Honoree
Mary J. Blige, ICON Honoree
Naomi Campbell, Fashionista Award Honoree
Janelle Monae, Who's Up Next Award Honoree
Check out the footage from YBF.com correspondent Kourtney "KRich" Richards as she chats with the honorees and attendees on the red carpet!!
According to ReturnofRelationship.com, a network is a person or group of people who you "like, trust, and respect" in some form or fashion and vice versa. This can be anybody from your family members to people you meet at a work conference who have valuable information to get you to the next level.
So after you go to a networking event and have passed out and received several business cards from great and interesting people, what do you do next?
That is the question that catches several people up and they end up missing out on connecting with GREAT PEOPLE. And trust me, I am at fault of this too! So I am giving my own self some advice as well.
A great networker is not a person who can walk up to someone and give them a card, it is a person who can formulate and maintain that relationship after the fact! It is all about following up to show them that regardless of what terms you met them on, you are still interested in getting to know that person.
Here are some ways to maintain those networking relationships.
Social Networking -- adding them on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIN is a great way to see what they do and what they are interested in after the event is over. Comment on their page or send them @replies on their tweets
Invite them to Lunch or a Happy Hour -- Most young professionals like to meet up at trendy, hip spots to release stress from a hectic day at office. Try inviting the person to lunch or to have a cocktail to just talk. This is a great way to build a solid relationship!
"Just wanted to say Hi" call/email -- People love to be randomly thought of from time to time, so "touch base" with them randomly. An "out of the blue" call/email to just say you were thinking of them will probably make their day especially if they were already having a bad one. Even if this is a strategic move, it will make them feel special and instantly put you on a good foot. This should contact should be all about them and what they are up to and what they are working on. Ask them about their family, something they have going on on the side their hobbies, or anything that is not work related. Try not to ask them for anything you want from them when making this call/email. It loses its genuineness and makes it seem like you wanted something from them all along.
Hopefully these are just a few tips you FABULOUS BROWN GIRLS can try to improve on for your networking skills. Don't be afraid to let people know you think they are awesome (stroking ego a little bit doesn't hurt) and that you would not mind getting to know them further.
What tips do you have to share with FBG? Leave a comment and let me know!
I know Fashion is supposed to be seen as Art, but what are we supposed to think when we see things like this?? The first thing that comes to my mind sure isn't ART!!! .. smh...
It's not like their aren't a plethora of African models all around the world who could have taken even better photos.. So what message are they really trying to portray. I am not sure if this was meant to be racist, but Europeans always have a funny way of doing things. I am sure they believe that it is high fashion and rolling thier eyes at our ridiculous American ignorance..
Its like we are always taking one step forward just to take 50 steps back.. I mean didn't black face take place in the late 1800's?? Wasn't that like over 100 years ago..?
Do you think this black face Vogue photo shoot is racist..?
One of my Fabulous Brown Girl readers put me on to this young gentlemen in the video below. He is a no holds bar commentator on subjects that us young professionals are going through on a daily basis. And he gets extra points for being from my hometown of Houston, TX.. His HTOWN drawl is classic!
Check out what he has to say about people who are not married, but think they have rights to a person, when in actuality you are really single until you are married-- no matter how long you have been with him or her. In my opinion his points are valid, but I am sure he has a lot of people who challenge him. I personally agree with him on a lot of his points! Watch his video and decide for yourself.
Check out his own blog - iHustleNation.com . I think his views do hit home for a lot of different reasons.
Watch and leave a comment to let me know what you think!
As many of you are now aware, Virginia HBCU, Hampton University recently crowned Nikole Churchill as their Queen on October 9th. On the surface there is nothing really shocking about that, but what has come to many as a huge surprise is the fact that Nikole is Caucasian. Being that Hampton University is a HBCU and the majority of its student population is of African decent, Nikole race is and her win is just very ironic. One of the highest accolades a student can receive went to someone who is a non black.
Instead of congratulating Churchill on her sweet accomplishment, she received a great deal of backlash from the black community, especially from HBCU students past and present. Some people feel that if you are a non black student attending an HBCU you shouldn't do anything that would bring you notoriety or representation of their campus! That, to me, is unfortunate... I mean she must have done an awesome job to supersede the other contestants, right?
Feeling frustrated and let down, Churchill ended up writing a letter to President Obama to express her frustration and invited him to come speak to the campus of Hampton on the issue of race and equality.
To:President Barack Obama
October 11, 2009
Aloha Mr. Obama!
My name is Nikole Churchill, a senior nursing major at Hampton University. This past Friday October 9, 2009, I was honored to be crowned Miss Hampton University 2009-2010. It truly was the best night of my life! With that being said, I am sad to say…… that my crowning was not widely accepted and many negative comments regarding my win have been shared throughout my campus.
It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn’t the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African-American. Despite the unfortunate beliefs that some are saying I should not have won, I am desperately trying to focus on those who believe in me and support me and my goal to represent this beautiful, multicultural campus the very best way that I can. I would love your help!
I am hoping that perhaps you would be able to make an appearance to my campus, Hampton University, so that my fellow Hamptonians can stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent, but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making towards accepting diversity. People are even nicknaming me, “lil Obama” because of various reasons. This is truly an honor as well!I am also from Hawaii (Wahiawa) and I am hoping that you can assist me in opening some closed minds and help share some aloha spirit throughout my campus. I feel as though you could relate to my situation, which is why I immediately wanted to contact you. I was interviewed last night at the HU vs. HU football game by news channel 13 and I mentioned how individuals such as you and myself are making changes in hopes people can stop placing so much focus on our skin color by letting that define what we can, cannot, should, and/or should not do. Dr. Harvey welcomed me last night to the family with open arms and I was beyond honored when he told me that he is behind me 100%. I am proud to represent Hampton University and I am so proud having you to represent our home, our country. Your support with my crowning as Miss Hampton University 2009-2010 would be graciously appreciated. Please reply, I will be looking forward to it!
-Nikole Churchill Virginia Beach , VA
Today, Churchill released a statement apologizing for writing this letter, (a little too late if you ask me) and that she now only wants to represent the students at her campus in a good light.
How do you all feel about the new Michelle Obama doll... or should I say "action figure"? According to the New York Daily News, the company that produced President Barack Obama's action figure thought it would be a swell idea to produce one of his wife. The action figure is not made by Mattel, so it is not in the likeness of the barbie doll. The action figure comes in three of Michelle's most popular outfits and her signature flats. I don't know how I feel about her exaggerated face and arms. So I am going to give it a thumbs down... hmmmm
Hey Fabulous Brown Girl readers! I hope all of you enjoyed your weekend and got a chance to relax and have some free time.
I just wanted to share something with those who may be in a situation where fear of what other people may think of you could be holding you back from the blessing God may have waiting for you.
Whatever fear you have is not a feeling that God gave you because fear is NOT of God. A lot of times we go through life trying to please and impress other people. We choose not to do what makes us happy because we worry about what other people will say. But God's love matters most, NOT what people think of you. God will hold your hand through the bad, the tough, and the unsure times.
Please understand that the joy that is unspeakable is the joy you get when you are doing what God says you should be doing NOT what other people say you should do be doing. People are humans and they will let you down and disappoint you time and time again. So why stress yourself out if pleasing them is not allowing you to have God bless your life?!
Remember I John 4:18 says There is no fear in [God's] love..
The issue of health care reform has become one of the top priorities of 2009. Finally people are saying enough is enough and that we want change. This change is not a race issue what so ever. It is an issue between the have and the have nots that have separated this country in so many ways.
Keith Olbermann is a great example of how angry and frustrated people are. It is not right that we have to beg and plead, sometimes to no avail , to the people WE put in office. These Congressman are using us as their pawns to get into office, and once they get where they want to be they turn their backs on us.
Here at Fabulous Brown Girl, I want to keep you informed on topics that affect us. I heard about this video and immediately wanted to do a post about it. Olbermann says the things that need to be said. Olbermann is personally not among the have nots group. He is a considerably wealthy man, but he is a human who understands that NO ONE should have to be scared to get sick because they do no know how they will pay their medicals bills, or be refused prescriptions. IT'S just NOT RIGHT.. Please watch this video (in its entirety) to hear him speak words of truth and become aware of what is going on today.
FABULOUS BROWN GIRL would like to give a BIG Congratulations to our President! Today an announcement was made that the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize is going to be awarded to none other than the President of the United States, Barack Obama!!
Instead of taking the worthy route, Obama said that he doesn't feel worthy to be in such "company" and that he is humbled.
Having only been president for nine months, he accepts this award as a as a call to action.
The Chairman of the Nobel Prize award, Thorbjorn Jagland, said "The decision to pick Obama was unanimous and came with ease."
CONGRATS President Obama!! Thank you for proving that we can be anything we want to become! From Martin Luther King Jr. in the 60s to now, you continue to give people of color pride and strength to be the great people we are!! Thank you for continuing our Black History!
I am sure many of you all know about Hill Harper, not only is he an extremely handsome and fabulous actor (currently on CSI: NY), a Harvard Law graduate, a newly inducted member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in Fall 2008, and personal buddies with President Obama (ohh yess!!), but he is also a New York Times bestselling author. Harper recently released the book titled, "The Conversation" . It is about men and women and the African American relationship crisis --yes, it is a crisis!
Even though the popular Steve Harvey book, "Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man" was a great read for women., Harper's book is geared toward both men and women and addresses couples in all stages of their relationship. The book was released September 8th and I plan on getting a copy! I suggest you all do too! Nothing is better than having a Fabulous Brown Girl Book Club discussion! lol.. wink, wink!
Even though I don't know Harper personally, he seems to gove off the impression of being an IBM (ideal black man), smart, talented, handsome, and edcuated. All pluses in my book. He is using gift of acting as a platform to be a voice of African Americans! Check out this video of him speaking about his new book
Beyonce' Knowles is one of my all time favorite FABULOUS BROWN GIRLS!
Watch her accept her award for Billboard's "Woman of the Year". She gives praise to her family and talks about what she thought about Kanye's infamous VMA interruption of Taylor Swift.
As college students and recent grads it is important to transition out of everyday life as a student and into one of office life. Any time you are in a professional setting many times you have to "turn it on" you have to talk a little different and come across as the happiest employee ever to keep good terms with your supervisor, boss, and CEO. I wish someone would have given me more of the real deal while I was in college so I would be aware of office politics. I have learned them through trial and error, which most of us do any how. Here are just a few tips I found from an great article to help us office "newbies" transition into Corporate America..
Pay attention to your surroundings -- try to fit in with the company culture as best as you can. Look at how your CEO and others that are in positions you would want to be in dress and try to mirror them as best you can.
Be tactful and humble -- even though you were the bomb on your campus, all that may be irrelevant when you enter corporate America. Instead of telling people who you are. how you do things, and how fabulous you are.. try to choose your words carefully that will not put you on people's bad side. Show them that you are sorry when you make mistakes and how willing you are to learn how to correct them immediately. Trust me! your FBG-ness will shine through!
Be attentive to the office's form of communication -- I know some offices communicate heavily through email. But please remember email is not text messaging! Unfortunately, you can not write emails as if you were texting your Fabulous Brown Girls. I am sure your boss would agree with me on this one.
Here are a few pictures of the GOOD HAIR movie premiere!! I absolutely can not wait to see this documentary with my girlfriends! And I know my FABULOUS BROWN GIRLS will be checking it out as well!!
Nia Long
Salt-n-Pepa
Ashanti
Actress Nia Long is a FABULOUS BROWN GIRL who is extremely talented and beautiful. She has been in the business for a very long time and still commands respect from her peers in the industry. She did a lot to help with the making of the GOOD HAIR documentary! Check her out in October's issue of Essence Magazine.
Photos were obtained from theybf.com and essence.com
Photo obtained from Essence.com "Michelle Obama Daily Diary Pt 2"
Recently on October 3rd, President Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama, celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary.
In the picture, Michelle is in a sexy little black dress and President Obama is checking her out and looking very dapper in his suit as they go out to have a dinner date.
Please join FABULOUS BROWN GIRL in congratulating the First Couple on their anniversary and wishing them a lifetime of many more years together! BLACK LOVE is BEAUTIFUL!
Check out this jam FBG dedicated to the Obama's.. Tony Toni Tone - "Anniversary"
Check out this video of superstar Brandy displaying what we like to call "true talent"! No gimmicks, no glam squad, just her in her bathroom showing off her pipes. Say what you want about Brandi Norwood, but this Fabulous Brown Girl has talent! You betta SANG B!!
If you are not already aware October is Breast Cancer Awareness and 2009 marks the 25th year of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every October several organizations come together to promote and educate women of all ages about breast cancer. There are several women who live their lives day to day and do not ever get a mammogram to possibly detect a lump that may appear in their breast.
National Breast Cancer Awareness is celebrated in October but is all year round. If you know someone who is suffering from breast cancer let them know you support them and that they are going to get through it. If you know someone who is a survivor let them know that you are proud of them and inspired by their strength.
As African American women, this is an epidemic. Even though white women are diagnosed with this type of cancer more, African American women lose the battle more frequently than white women.
Fabulous Brown Girl encourages you to go to the National Breast Cancer Awareness website to learn more about how you can be involved with supporting this cause as well as the popular Susan G. Komen.
Check out this informative video about African American women and breast cancer from Susan G. Komen for the cure..
Solange Knowles, 23, continues to step out of the box with her fashion and creativity! She makes bold statements with her looks and continues to stay positive as a roll model to other girls and women who don't believe in cookie cutter beauty! Check out a few pictures from her unique photoshoot with HONEY Magazine online! I personally love all of her shots! Keep doing your thing Solo! What she had to say in regards to rapper Wale... I think he is courting her.. which works for me!
CLICK HERE to read the entire interview she did with HONEY MAGAZINE!!
Kandi's boyfriend/fiance' that was talked about notoriously in the media and gossip sites for his lack of legitimacy as a good man for Kandi was murdered in a strip club in Atlanta, GA Friday night. Now the details are still emerging, but Fabulous Brown Girl is shocked beyond belief at this tragic and unfortunate news. Whatever went on and whatever he was dealing with behind the scenes, AJ still was a father and an important figure in many people's lives. He leaves behind six children and four mothers of his six children. I can not imagine what Kandi is going through right now at this moment.
AJ recently did an interview stating that he is a good man and that TV(media) made him seem like he didn't have it all together.
I don't know what the reason was that he was murdered in the strip club, but there is nothing that is worth a life.
CLICK HERE to read more details more on the incident.
CLICK HERE to read one of the few interviews AJ did discussing his relationship with Kandi.. not too long ago
This post is kind of a personal shotout to all my Nigerian Fabulous Brown Girls! October 1st is Nigerian Independence Day! And it doesn't matter if you are Nigerian or not, I guarantee you know someone who is of some kind of Nigerian heritage!
So if you see anybody you know that is Nigerian join with me and wish them Happy Naija Day!!!
If you are African you know about this right here, the 70's classic "Sweet Mother" I love my mommy so much.. I feel like this song is a tribute to her!!
Here at FBG Solange, is one of my favs!! Number one: She is from my hometown! Number two: She is a great mom to her son! Number three: Her personality and confidence rocks! She is quirky, talented, and beautiful. Number four: Her album is the best kept secret.. if you slept on her don't worry you still can go and pick up her album!
Here she is with Chris Rock on Oprah talking about why she decided to do the BIG CHOP. If you know anything about transistioning from permed to natural hair then you know that what Solange did with her hair is very normal and please don't think I am not going to be all up in the theatre to watch Mr. Rocks documentary!
Check out the clip of Solange on Oprah!
Solange Knowles is definitely a FABULOUS BROWN GIRL!
Today marks the one month anniversary of FABULOUS BROWN GIRL (my baby is growing up yall!! lol) I started this blog just as an outlet on what I feel young women like me want to talk about. It does not always focus on superficial or materials things. Fabulous Brown Girls are Stylish, Sophisticated, and Savvy! We are the total package: we look fly, demand respect, and can hold our own in any circumstance!!
So FBG wants to give a BIG Thank You to those of you who keep checking us out and showing us love!! I really do appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Please continue to look out for hot topics and different features that will make u smile, think, and laugh. Tell your friends to check FBG out too!! Leave comments and start discussions because its all for you FAB BROWN GIRLS.. Smooches
Fabulous Brown Girl (FBG) is a blog that strives to cultivate an online sisterhood to inform, uplift, and empower women of color, primarily African Americans, to become better indivduals in their personal and professional lives while inspiring other women to do the same.
VOTE FOR FBG!!
If You Like What You See.. and We Know You Do..Click the Graphic and Vote forFabulous Brown Girlon Top Sista Blogs!!
I am a young, urban professional woman of color who loves everything fabulous, but wants it to be deeper than just that. I have a passion for women empowerment, especially women of color because we have so much to conquer and I want us to do it in the most fabulous way possible!!
Unless otherwise noted,Fabulous Brown Girldoes not claim to own the visual content on this site. If there are any photos you do not want to appear on this site please send an email to fabbrowngirl@gmail.com and they will be removed accordingly.
Also if you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact us at fabbrowngirl@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!
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