ReNOVATE Malaria Charity Gala

Motivational and Inspiring are only 2 words that can begin to describe the ReNOVATE Gala hosted in Newark NJ this past weekend. With literally a full house of motivational speakers, performers, models, agents for social change, pageant queens, young professionals and avid networkers, the call for support for ReNOVATE's Malaria Initiative is clearly not falling upon deafened ears.

Based on their 2010-2011 needs assessment ReNOVATE (Rebuilding Nigeria One Village At a Time) has been charged with the mission to implement a Malaria Initiative in Oshun State Nigeria. Through mobilizing local communities towards the incorporation of a solid education plan targeting appropriate prevention methods, the provision of 400 bednets and 400 malaria repellents and the implementation of a mentorship program, ReNOVATE seeks to break the cycle of this epidemic that is currently claiming the lives of 250,000 children under the age of 5 annually. The overarching goal of such intervention methods is to empower the people within the communities of Oshun State in order to sustain intervention efforts that can eventually be replicated in neighboring communities.

The ReNOVATE Malaria Gala not only served as a successful fundraising event for this initiative, but it also served as an opportunity for motivational speakers and foundation leaders to shed light on the need for assistance within Africa and also on the many ways in which individuals can make a difference in the lives of others.

With attendees coming from Atlanta, Miami, Maryland, New York and of course New Jersey, the gala presented an opportunity for people to discuss their role and duty to the beautiful continent of Africa while enjoying performances from various dance groups & musical talents and while partaking in a 'not-so-silent' silent auction ;).

This was truly a fabulous evening with beautiful people. FAB continues to support the wonderful work of the ReNOVATE team and their mission to Rebuild Nigeria One Village At a Time.

**Special thanks to my twitter lovers for picking my outfit choice for the evening ;)**

To learn more about ReNOVATE and to support their Malaria Initiative, please visit http://www.renovatenigeria.org/ Join their facebook group for more pictures from the event and follow them on twitter @ReNOVATENigeria

Also check out last year's FAB post on ReNOVATE from their 2010 Fund Raising Picnic.

Stay FAB!
SiSi

It's DunkishRockkkkkk

With a hectic summer that seems to be passing faster than anticipated, it's easy to miss out on some of the FABness happening this Summer. With the 6th annual NEA's (Nigerian Entertainment Awards)approaching Naija artists are really bringing their A game this Summer, with recent reports of MoHits and Kanye West's new business relationship it is clear that Nigerian music can no longer be limited to it's usual audience.

Duncan Daniels; music producer, writer and singer is a triple threat when it comes to musical talent. With hit song 'Like This' featuring MI, Daniels; a protege who studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Masachusetes, alma mater to industry folks such as Gavin DeGraw, Keith Harris and John Mayer is one step ahead of the game as he floods the international music waves. An NEA nominee, Duncan Daniels aka Dunkishrock recently relocated to New York from Boston in order to strengthen and broaden his current relationships within the industry as a producer and song writer.



With an ability to produce an array of tunes ranging from mainstream hip hop to soulful ballad's, Daniels has amazed his fans once again with the release of playful summer hit 'Plenty Swagger' feat T2. The team who recently performed in Orlando for the NRC annual reunion wanted to produce a track that is just as fun and laid back as their personalities. Anticipating the realease of the music video, I came across some of Duncan's international fans (shout out to Asia and Europe) who clearly love the song just as much as I do. With a catchy beat and the perfect tempo to throw down some sick moves, I look forward to T2 member and professional choreographer Lexx Ore's work on this video.



For more information on this FAB international star visit http://www.dunkishrock.com and follow him on twitter @Dunkishrock for updates on upcoming shows.

Be sure to visit http://www.nigeriaentawards.com and place your vote for Duncan Daniels, 2011 Best Male Artist Nominee (US)

Stay FAB!!!

SiSi

Window Seat FABness

There comes a moment when you realize what it is you want in life and what is your purpose. It doesn't happen over night but everything that breaks you down, everything that teaches you more about yourself, every battle you have fought; the ones you lost, the ones you won and even the ones that caused you to question every aspect of your life, these moments, each and every one of them culminate and bring you closer to that ah hah moment. You get to that place when you realize that the love you have for self trumps the love that any significant other can offer. It takes a series of seemingly unfortunate but necessary events to arise at such a moment of clarity. It is important to know yourself, you may feel that nobody knows you better than you, but knowing yourself is not one dimensional, you have to step out of self, you have to know the face in the mirror and the face that is seen through the eyes of others.



So how do you initiate that journey to your ah hah moment? Well you make a list, I know that everyone says that making a list is unrealistic, but I'm not talking about that type of list here. I want you to make a list of your fears and inhibitions, in order to fully understand what holds you back from attaining your full potential you have to be able to dig deep and go to that place that nobody voluntarily goes to. You have to open up the pandora box and put it all out there right in front of you, you have to face your fears. You will be amazed at how some of our most unrelated phobias are all related to the bigger picture.



So we face our fears, we take back that power that an outside force has against us. Accepting that you're not perfect, that your fears can and for the most part do get the best of you aides in opening your eyes to the face that others see. Yes people do see your fears, as much as we may try to hide them so not to seem weak, our fears are evident in our actions, our fears speak during those awkward moments of silence and when that smile suddenly disappears our fears take over our facial expressions. You may pride yourself in saying that you do not wear your heart on your sleeve, good for you! But when it comes to your fears, try and cover them up as much as you want but the moment your fears are presented to you by your immediate surroundings and company, the concept known as "calm and collected" goes right out of the window.



So we accept our fears, our weaknesses and our imperfections. We learn to put our better foot forward while aiming to improve our short comings. We learn to accept others for their fears, their weaknesses and their imperfectctions. We learn to see the good in them rather than taking advantage of their limitations. The bible says "and why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'brother let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brothers eye." Luke 6:41-42.



So that moment, my ah hah moment, in that moment of clarity I realized that in order to fulfill my goals, in order to leave a lasting impression on the life of another, I must acknowledge my strengths and my weaknesses. I must realize that life is a journey where the teacher and the student are constantly in transition. And lastly in that moment i realized that as I strive to leave my footprint on this earth I must also acknowledge those around me and my past experiences that have left an imprint in my life.


As Lila Watson says; " if you are here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come here because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together"

Stay FAB!

SiSi