I first learned about Zorra Khan and the Candy B*tches through the Whorington (again w/ the Whorington- when do they stop providing dope info?? never!).

I was inspired by the exuding fierceness of these amazing women, a motely crew of ethnic minorities “paving the way for others and dispelling the stereotypical image people have of Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and so forth.” Fashion and dispelling cultural streotypes? Sounds right up my alley! I had to email Zorra right away and introduce myself, so I can share her and the rest of her crew to the world.

Based in the UK, Zorra Khan is a fashion graduate and part owner of London’s premier streetwear clothing retailer, the Candy Store. She makes her own clothes  and designs jewelry with her sister for their line, Jewel Heritage. A play on words, Jewel Heritage is a reference for her dual heritage as a Pakistani/Afghan/Welsh, and her designs mirror influences from her cultural background. Describing her design below, she prefaces: “the crescent on top of the pyramid is taken from Islam cause I’m Muslim, obviously.”

Learn more about Zorra and the rest of the crew on their BLOG HERE.

TRUST YOUR STRUGGLE is an artist collective of visual artists, educators, and cultural workers dedicated to social justice and community activism through the medium of art. Rooted in the belief of cultural exchange and international solidarity through arts education, TYS travels across the globe to unite communities and invite dialogue through visual language. This year, they are embarking on a journey to the Philippines to spread their mission.

Please support their cause! Read the rest of their manifesto and make a donation HERE.

Project Heal Manila put on an event on a few days ago featuring a reading by author Rafe Bartholomew, who speaks and writes better Tagalog than me. Sigh. Although I’m a little envious, a girl can’t hate, cause those deep Tagalog words are pretty darn impressive. AND I applaud him for combining the three things I LOVE: Literature, the Philippines, and Basketball. His book, Pacific Rims, is a story about the Philippines’ “unlikely love affair with basketball”, and as the daughter and sister of two basketball players, (and a former player myself)  I can’t wait to read it!

And it’s true, you know. Everywhere from Manila to the provinces, you’ll find my brown skinned brothers doing crossovers in their tsinelas and putting their own makeshift backboards up. During the reading, Rafe told a story about Pinoys playing basketball in front of active volcanoes. YO. How gangster is that. We legitimately got more heat than Miami, if you ask me. Holla.

BUY RAFE’S Book HERE!

When I found out more about Rafe, I discovered that he was able to create this book and live in the Philippines as a Fulbright scholar. I was so, so inspired, because now I want to do go and do the same thing! All I’ve been thinking about these days is the possibility of living in Manila next year working on my next book….I am in the works of perfecting my thesis, so I will share soon! Hint: Fashion plays a part in it. (of course.) =)

Manifestasian to be in inspirASIA next year:

And so it begins. I told y’all I was just getting started….

I am in disbelief and disappointment. The verdict for the Oscar Grant case is proof that injustice persists, and some lives are more disposable than others. While the whole world tweets and retweets the news about Lebron James, we are ignoring a tremendous loss, a deep wound in racial politics that continues to bleed, scab over, and then bleed again.

I have no more words. Just frustration.

Please read this powerful article by Andreas Hale and spread the word. I love basketball, but I love justice and solidarity more. READ ARTICLE HERE.

And here again, is my humble offertory.

I’m a fan of anything dashing. Well except runaway lovers- dashing (away) in that way isn’t so charming. But London emcee Thai Matic shows both sides, as he’s quite the tie-wearing dapper gent double-sided with a glint of mischief that could potentially set the heartbreak alarm off. Love him or hate him, he’s looking for a place to land…stadium status preferred:

I met UK based fashion designer and style savant Chantell Walters through my good friends over at the Whorington. She was kind enough to offer me some wisdom, and I’m grateful, as she is the living, breathing proof that style, sexy, and substance do coincide. Check her knowledge:

1.) What is your background- cultural? And how has growing up in London influenced who you are as a designer?

I am British born and so are my parents but my grandparents are St Lucian and Jamaican.  I decided I was going to be designer at age 5, because my uncle saw a drawing that I did of some clothes and he said,  “You should be a fashion designer!” and I thought it sounded good, so that is what I became.

Fast forward years later: I went to the London College of Fashion. Growing up in London  has been the best thing for me.  I have always been friends with people from so many different cultures and backgrounds, which has made me interested in learning about other cultures.  London has such a vast variety of people from different places, which means it is really interesting the way people put their look together.  Many creative people in London strive to be different from other people, and I am one of them.

2. What does a woman have to have to make her invincible?

A woman is someone that is not afraid of taking risks in life.  She knows what she wants to achieve and she does not let people or fear stand in her way.  I try to be a [strong] woman because I am juggling raising a four year old and running my own business.  I do not like to use my son as an excuse for why I cannot achieve things; rather, I use him as a driving force to succeed in life.

3. How do you define true beauty and style?

I feel true beauty does start from within as cliche as that sounds.  If a woman is confident and happy within herself she usually takes care of herself and is good person to be around.  I feel more people should work with what they have and not wish they looked like someone else.  Be individual, do your hair, make-up or go the gym if that makes you feel good but love yourself.  I think stylish people are aware of trends going on in fashion but it does not control them. They wear what makes them feel and look good.  They probably shop in various places from vintage to high end designer or sometimes really cheap places.  When you have true style no one can tell if you have money or not.

Here are some of Chantell’s designs, but head on over to her website and check out her more thorough portfolio HERE.

My girl, Wren Love is amazing. Oakland based singer, writer, artist, illustrator, and all around fly girl, the love in her heart is so immense she sent part of it in a package to NY. All this just so I can have a piece of Oakland to keep close. When this came in the mail a few weeks ago, I was overjoyed. She made all this for little ol’ me! (There’s more too, but I didn’t get a chance to photograph all of them.) Wow. Thank you Wren!!

Me and the LitWorld team in their brand new office space!

Over the past few months, I’ve been granted the honor of developing the first Girls Club Teen program in New York City for LitWorld. With the help of longtime LitWorld veteran Jen Estrada, we put together a young women’s reading, writing, and empowerment program for the Polo Grounds Center in Harlem. I’ve been so excited to help launch it, and happy the day has finally arrived!

Yesterday was our first day, and I couldn’t be happier to say it unfolded beautifully. With the help of LitWorld intern Lauren, we painted a poster for our summer “clubhouse” that displayed the seven strengths that the Girls Clubs are themed around: Belonging, Compassion, Esteem, Friendship/Sisterhood, Self-Respect, Curiosity, and Hope.

Every young woman that entered the room had a smile and a personality as bright and colorful as our poster. They embraced the idea of sisterhood immediately, and their enthusiasm for writing, reading, and most of all, their potential to harness their powers of being women uplifted me in a way I didn’t know I needed. Leading workshops like these are funny that way. My students never fail to teach me, to move me. In truth, they are my teachers, and I can’t wait to see what I’ll learn from them.

From our icebreakers to our first free write, I was inspired by their energy, the playful fire inside all of them. Loud or soft spoken, I can sense their potential to transform themselves, each other, and the world. Imagine my delight when our youngest and shyest of the group, 12 year old Michelle, volunteered to read her free write in front of the whole class, and had her older counterparts encourage her to feel brave enough to speak up. Witnessing that gave me all the joy I could ask for. And imagine, it’s only day one.

I can’t wait to share what’s to come. This is only the beginning… =)

I am very lucky, because this angelic face belonging to jazz/soul singer Maya Hatch speaks to me almost every morning on Google Video chat from Tokyo, Japan. I don’t think the world understands what a blessing that is. Needless to say, I have helllllaaa love for this girl, and she not only has amazing talent, but a big, beautiful, universe-size soul. It is so inspiring to see her go full force for to claim her dreams. A few months ago, she moved from NY to Tokyo to pursue her dreams as an artist. Today, you can catch her in jazz clubs all over Japan, and watch her on television as the pretty “music witch” on Japan’s version of Yo-Gabba-Gabba, Be Ponkikki. Watch out for this one…she’s on the rise!

Watch her video below, and CHECK HER WEBSITE HERE!

Chicago has always had a very special place in my heart. There is nothing, nothing, nothing, like going for a run by Lake Michigan and breathing in the Chicago skyline. That Chi-Town skyline is, in my opinion, the most gorgeous skyline in all of America. And I say this all without even knowing what summer time Chi is like. I can only imagine. These days, all my inspirations have been from this place. Thank you. Chi, I can’t wait to see you again!

Through the wire, to the limit, to the wall/For a chance to be with you/I’d gladly risk it all…