 The motto of the 100 Black Men of Greater Dallas/ Ft. Worth, is simple; they are devoted to improving the quality of life for African-Americans–particularly young males–in the Dallas/Ft Worth Metropolitan Area. Which is why I made it my point to grab my girls and support the Charity event at Lofty Spaces. The fundraiser asked people to bring toys for needy kids in the community. I met my soror and newly appointed Judge Kim Cooks (right in photo) along with newly appointed Judge Andrea Martin (left in photo) at the event. I also got a chance to take a few fun pics with my girls Elyssa and Taylor. I also took a picture with Frances Jaye, who was spinning great music and had some people on the dance floor doing line dances lol. My highlight of the night was the yummy food, the appetizers were baked sweet potato bar, crabcakes and everyone enjoyed that and the free cocktails! I will admit, I expected there to be more men at the event, it appeared as if the women outnumbered the men 10 to 1. I'm told the orgazination is reaching out to get more men involved. Overall, it was a success and great networking opportunity. Check out the photos!
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 Dallas Cowboys Linebacker and MEAC Hall of Fame inductee Justin Durant hosted a holiday charity reception to benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas-Oak Cliff Unit. The event helped families in the Dallas Fort Worth community with toy donations. Attendees were able to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win an all-inclusive four-night stay for two in a one bedroom Marina View Villa Suite at The Landings in St. Lucia. Ticket sales also benefited Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas-Oak Cliff Unit. The event featured delicious catering by Olivella's Neo Pizza of its award-winning Napoletana and Romana pizzas and mixed holiday drinks by Edrington. The thin flatbread pizzas were delicious!!! Especially the Margarita, spinach and tomato pizza yum! They also had a nutella desert pizza but I wasn't a big fan. Here are photos from the event, I was able to see fellow media personality Jasmine Sadry & Clarence Hill Jr.  I really love talking to students about journalism!!! Media instructor Candace Bagwell was nice enough to invite me to speak at her Journalism class at Heritage High School in Frisco. The students were eager and excited to learn about the ins and outs of the newsroom. Each student came prepared to ask questions, and we did it in a press conference format, so they would state their name, ask a question and I would answer. I made sure to get a few photos with the kiddos and exchange social media tips. Overall, it was a great and positive experience that left me hopeful about the future of journalism. The students have their own TV station called CoyoteNationTV. Can't wait to return and inspire the students again, thanks Coyote Nation!  KWANZAFEST Was a huge success! Despite the rain, nearly 50,000 people attended the 24th annual 2 day event at Fair Park in Dallas. I must admit, it was one of the first events I covered as a reporter when I first arrived in Dallas nearly 5 years ago~ I was so excited to see that it's still around despite the ongoing battle between the FBI and Kwanzaafest creator Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. (Click here to see my sit down interview with Mr. Price about those charges.) Nonetheless, Price has maintained a man of the community and spoke to me about the significance of the festival. Click to see Video of John Wiley Price Interview Good music like her new song, titled "Dear John." The song is a tribute to Positive Black men and in the video you see a lot of African-American men who have made positive impacts on the community. Check out the photo of me in my Hip hop attire getting read for the show, Naomi Scott from LP Entertainment and MC Lyte mixing records at Shark Bar in Plano. Check out the photo slideshow below & read more to see the video from the show!  MC LYTE is baaaaaccckkkk! Today I had the opportunity to speak to the legendary rapper, who is still making music and moves in the entertainment industry! And in case your wondering, I had to post an old pic of me and Lyte from Charleston, SC 2008!!! The Legendary Mc Lyte has been extremely busy over the years doing philanthropic work with the Hip Hop Sister's Network. I asked her what she thought about today's female rappers, and she said that she hasn't really been in contact with many of them, as Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azaela haven't really reached out to her for advice on the rap game. But she believes there is hope for Hip hop, if consumers start buying more positive music. Click below to see more pics, video from the mini concert SO EXCITED!!!! Today I was named an honoree for the Dayspring Church Annual MLK Breakfast. I am thrilled at the opportunity to be able to attend the event, but also humbled to be named an honoree for my work in the media field and community.
The Martin Luther King holiday and recognition celebrations are fast approaching and as always, schools, organizations and communities will pause to remember this great leader's accomplishments. As a part of the celebrations honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, C.L.A.S.S. Inc.(Cultivating Leaders Achieving Scholastic Success) a non-profit organization co-sponsored by Dayspring Family Church in Irving , Texas will acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of several distinguished leaders who have contributed to making Dr. King’s dream a reality in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The Board of Directors for C.L.A.S.S. Inc. would like to honor me at our annual Martin Luther King Awards Breakfast on Jan. 19, 2015 at Dayspring Family Church at 9:00 am. Please contact the Church office at 972-399-7729 or email CLASS @dayspringfamilychurch.org to purchase tickets for the event. Please find attached a program from the 2014 breakfast acknowledging a few of the distinguished honorees and information about C.L.A.S.S. Inc. To date, this organization has awarded 113 scholarships to deserving students. We hope that you will consider allowing this very worthwhile endeavor to add your name to the list of honorees for 2015.  What a day! I was so excited to participate in the Reliant Energy Gingerbread charity contest, but I did not make the best Gingerbread house! I mean really it was a struggle house that needed a real decorator lol  Different members of the media were invited to participate in teams with their charity partner, and then the team with the best gingerbread house wins $5,000. I didn't win the big money, but I raised $1,000 for National Association of Black Journalists DFW chapter which provides students with college scholarships. The event took place at the A T & T performing arts center and kicked off the Holiday lights show downtown. I was so glad to be a participant, and excited to invite Radio personality DeDe Mcguire from K104 to compete with me. There's always next year!  THE FAME TV show ended its season with a bang! I was so excited when my publicist Nina Zavala booked me to be guest on the program which films Monday nights and airs on the week-end.
I was interviewed about my celebrity blogging, and talked about making a name for myself in Dallas. The show is co-hosted by Super Bowl Champion Tony Banks and Dallas Cowboys players Dwayne Harris and George Selvie. Each episode, taped live at The Rustic on Monday nights at 7:00pm, will feature other Dallas Cowboys players, professional athletes, and celebrity guests. The Fame is co-produced by Lisa Jenkins. The Fame airs on TXA-21 Saturdays at 8:30 am and Sundays at 2:00 am. Special Thanks:: Hair by Erica MCcarty Book here #MUA KrystalKiss contact Krystal here Clothing Aftershock London inside Galleria Mall in Addison,TX  What an event!!! Thank you God for your anointing on my life! I truly was honored to be selected as the EMCEE of Senator Royce West, Attorney Les Weisbrod & Attorney Domingo Garcia's annual Christmas party and toy drive!! It was an exciting event filled with the Dallas Elite. Including attorneys, politicians, members of the media, professionals and many others celebrating the holiday and donating toys for those who need it most. There were great hors d'oeuvres and music, including a special performance by Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Tony! Tony! The deejay Carlton Dixon kept the crowd going, Live bands played a mixture of tunes, while the Dallas Black Dance Theater and Black Academy Letter and Arts performed live for the audience. The Mo Williams Foundation, Dwaine Caraway, and Senator Royce West beautiful wife, Carol each donated 1,000 to both organizations. Everyone was dressed in Black Tie and ready to mingle. SPECIAL THANKS!!!!
To my photographer Demetria Guillory www.dgdafotographer.com for the great pictures. Thanks for my beautiful red gown, provided by Aftershock London boutique inside Galleria Mall. Erica Mcarty did a great job on my natural hair.  Let me first say thank you to Dwayne Wiggins and his manager Phil for the wonderful floor seats at the New Jack Swing Concert. Fans filled the seats at the Verizon Theater Saturday night ready to listen to some old school R N B and, some groups did not disappoint! The show started an hour late, but once it began Al B Sure took the stage with his son bellowing out classics like, "Night and Day" and other tracks that were really taking me down memory lane....I know I was around 10 when he came out but I had a bigger brother who played his music, so ..yes I do know the music lol By the way, Mr. Al has definitely been working with his son, because he hit a lot of notes that Mr. Al used to hit. Once he was done, the group, After 7 took the stage dressed in black suits with sparkly ties. Compared to Al B Sure's more laid back attire, the After 7 group was ready to dazzle. The lead singer dropped the mic, and everyone was like...noooo..but he picked it up and then began doing what they do best, singing and harmonizing. It was a good set, they still had their voices and dance moves. Next, my favorite. Tony! Tony! Tony! brought the full band and had the signature white outfits..classy, sexy and really in shape and super talented. They hadn't lost a beat. I was just upset they couldn't sing longer, but they mentioned they had to cut their show short..I was not to happy because they were the best act so far! Special Thanks @DGDAFotographer for the professional picture at Senator Royce West Christmas Party (where we met Dwayne.) Awesome pics from the show, thanks @ElyssaLassiter! Had a blast with you girl!! Finding the right dress is tough!!!! I went to AFTERSHOCK LONDON inside Galleria Mall to find the right outfit for my EMCEE gig at Senator Royce West Christmas party and The FAME TV show taping. Thanks Rachel and the crew for the great selection and superstar treatment. I also am exposing the before look, for my natural tresses styled by Erica McCarty! I also had a wonderful #MUA but i was running so late, I had to hook up my own make-up, what do you think??
Check out the photos from behind the scenes!  I truly believe that God puts us here on earth to bless others, so when I was asked to participate in Reliant's Gingerbread charity challenge media contest, I said Yes!! Different members of the media will get a chance to help the charity of their choice. The best house will get $5,000 for their charity and the media members will get to donate $1,000, to the charity of their choice. I decided to donate the money to the Don't Believe the Hype foundation which provides students with college scholarships. The houses will be on display for the public from approximately 3:30 pm – 6:00 p.m. at Klyde Warren Park. You can vote for your favorite house through a free texting service (think voting on American Idol). The winner will be announced on stage at the closing ceremony of Reliant Lights Your Holiday after the voting has ended. For more information click here.  I was fortunate to participate in the "Don't Believe the Hype" Celebrity bowling fundraiser a few years ago. See if you can pick me out in this pic hahaha Announcement!!! Amanda named Mistress of Ceremonies for Senator Royce West Christmas Party12/2/2014  The annual Christmas party and toy drive is an exciting event that offers local attorneys, politicians, media, professionals and many to come together to celebrate the holiday for a worthy cause. Each year they receive toy donations from hundreds of participants who attend the event. This year I was asked to be the Mistress of Ceremonies for the prestigious event which joins Attorney Domingo Garcia and others to the festivities. Two years ago I attended, and I remember eating great
hors d'oeuvres and dancing the night away. Everyone is dressed in Black Tie and ready to mingle. I will announce the three participating firms, sponsors and I can't wait to unveil my AFTERSHOCK London designer gown, and Erica McCarty hairdo & KrystalKiss doing my make-up! updates coming soon with pics!!!!!  SOOOOO excited to announce that I will be featured in FAB Dallas magazine's inaugural issue next month~~ I can't give too much away but I can tell you that I dish the dirt on my fashion, dating, and life as a Dallas socialite and TV personality in Dallas, TX. Special Thanks to Ray Williams photography for the amazing photos. Dee Dee Hill for the superb make-up job!! www.makeupbydhill.com and the awesome fashion designer www.lyzafaye.com who allowed me to wear one of her creations!  It was my first time checking out my good friend Guy Rawlings' host the "Inside the Huddle" show. Every Monday they have a different Dallas Cowboys player co-host the program with Rawlings. This Monday it was the very down to earth Tyrone Crawford along with his teammate Kyle. The two were put in the hot seat and asked everything from why did they lose the Cowboys game to what are they buying their significant others for Christmas!
It was an entertaining show. I like that it is held at the House of Blues in Dallas, and guest get to mingle in the Foundation Room upstairs before going down the dining area for the official taping. Some of the funny moments I must share include the players totally embarrassing their girlfriends when asked about there date night, both answered with Netflix which was so cute. I think its cool that they don't do fancy date nights or go out a lot, because the players need to stay at home, rest and prep for the big games. Overall it was a really cool experience and if you ever want to watch a live taping, meet a few cowboys and enjoy the scenery check out the show on Monday nights. Check out the next #InsideTheHuddle w/@TCrawford98 & @KWilber51 @HOBDallas @dallascowboys http://t.co/e70jUpMS7G  Monday night football yields a lot of choices to watch the games with players. The Nina Zavala Group and Costa Sports marketing host a Monday Night Football event at Henderson Tap House in Lower Greenville. It's a great place to mingle, get photos with players and even get autographs and great wings. I always try to support Nina, considering she's my booking agent too! This time the event was hosted by Anthony Hitchens & Lance Dunbar of the Dallas Cowboys. Nice guys who were bombarded with fans eager to get autographs from them.
 Lately in the headlines you hear a lot about negative news regarding NFL players. So it was totally refreshing to attend the Dallas Cowboys Brandon Carr charity event at Strikz bowling lanes in Frisco, Saturday. Fans got a chance to meet and bowl with at least a dozen players. I even met an air force veteran who served 3 tours in Afghanistan, and really enjoyed the chance to meet his favorite team. Players were given a chance to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures. And of course let's not forget bowling! Players were given a chance to meet fans, sign autographs and take pictures. And of course let's not forget bowling! Founder, Brandon Carr talked in great length about how sports changed his life, and the importance of being a good role model and giving back to the community.
You often here athletes say, "I'm not a role model, I just play sports,"but not Carr. The other players also agreeing with the sentiments expressed. But the highlight of the evening was listening to Carr talk about his charity. It was really touching to hear him say that he will continue to use his NFL career as a platform to be a positive role model who motivates kids and at risk youth. Thanks @ninazavalagroup for inviting me & @chuck_wells @dallascowboys Players legendary Charles Haley, Jj Wilcox, Brandon Carr, Dwayne Harris, Tyler Patmon, Sterling Moore, Anthony Hitchens, Tyrone Crawford, Jakar Hamilton.  Damon Williams hit the metroplex this past week-end like a tornado. No, really..I watched this man tell jokes, fend off hecklers and keep the crowd laughing. For some reason people were a bit chatty and rowdy Friday night at the Addison Improv. So imagine my surprise when one lady dressed in a pink chiffon dress, decided to clap back at the comedian on stage. Let's just say Damon wasn't having it and made sure to give the audience something even funnier to laugh at! The rest of the shows were just as great, and I'm so glad I got a chance to see my media colleague (yes he is on the tom Joyner morning show so I can call him that) and check out his shows. We also tried to show him around town with a trip to one popular spot in Addison. I won't mention there name because they give me a hard time everytime I go! But we go to watch people dancing and having a good time, so it was cool. Can't wait until the next show, I love how the Improv manager always gives me a hug and makes sure they give me and my crew good seats at their shows. |
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