WSSN Stories

(Photo by Michael Bezjian/WireImage)

Four talented and diverse fashion designers showcased their collections to a select group of celebrities and influencers during Grammy weekend

LOS ANGELES, CA- Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) presented Style Beat, its first-ever West Coast event during Grammy Awards weekend in Los Angeles.  The glamorous daytime affair took place on Friday, February 6th at a luxurious Beverly Hills estate.  HFR is a unique movement founded to increase diversity in fashion by producing events to educate, stimulate, and advance opportunities for emerging designers of color.  Collections by four talented and diverse fashion designers were showcased to a select group of 250 tastemakers.  The featured designers were the legendary L.A.-based designer Kevan Hall, custom menswear designer Waraire Boswell, and emerging designers, Joseph Bethune and “Project Runway” finalist Kimberly Goldson.

As a partner, Verizon Wireless was able to help HFR’s Founder and CEO Brandice Henderson- Daniel pursue her passion through technology and bring Style Beat to life, which was co-hosted by actress/entrepreneur/model/TV personality Vanessa Simmons (styled by Shop Le Look) and recording artist/actor Quincy.  Attendees were able to take part in Verizon’s 360 Glam Cam to share their fashion and style. There was also a special one-on-one conversation with Kevan Hall discussing his career and influences.  The event culminated with the poolside runway fashion show featuring designs by Hall, Boswell, Bethune and Goldson.  Celebrity and influencer guests included Vanessa Williams, Tamala Jones, Melissa De Sousa, Michael Jai White, Gillian Waters, Cedric Sanders, Gloria Govan, Laura Govan, AJ Johnson, VaShawn Mitchell, Malina Moye, Kwame Boateng, Kofi Siriboe, Davidson Frere, V Bozeman, Kay Cola, Ugo Mozie, Daver Campbell and Harriette Cole, among others.  Guests were treated to a complimentary beauty bar, gifting, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and much more.

“Style Beat could not have happened without the generous support from Prudential and Verizon Wireless.  Because of them, we were able to show four incredible designers, all of whom I’m thankful for their participation.  I am still blown away by the amazing welcome we received in Los Angeles and we look forward to presenting more events here in the near future,” said Brandice Henderson-Daniel, Founder/CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row.

About Harlem’s Fashion Row 

Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) is an influential arts and entertainment organization that engages audiences and aligns brand partners with emerging multicultural designers.  HFR’s mission is to discover and showcase rising talent of color through a platform of national events and customized multi-platform programs.  HFR has gained corporate support from companies such as AOL, Target Stores, Iman Cosmetics, Smartwater, Dark & Lovely, and BET. Harlem’s Fashion Row has also been covered by Women’s Wear Daily, NY Daily News, Fashionista, New York Time Out, and Jones Magazine, as well as, “That’s So New York”, The Cut, NY Racked, Black Enterprise, and Centric.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s largest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  As the largest wireless company in the U.S., Verizon Wireless serves 108.2 million retail customers, including 102.1 million retail postpaid customers.  Verizon Wireless is wholly owned by Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.  For the latest news and updates about Verizon Wireless, visit our News Center at http://www.verizonwireless.com/news or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/VZWNews.

By Sylvia Mathews Burwell, HHS Secretary

Black History Month is an important time to reflect on the legacy of the African American leaders, thinkers, creators and philosophers who have made this country what it is today. From Harriet Tubman to President Obama, our black heritage is a story of courage, persistence, and indomitable strength.

Yet, despite the incredible progress that the African American community has made toward equality, these accomplishments must also remind us of how far we have to go.

Disparities still linger, and that’s especially true when it comes to health care:

• African Americans have the lowest life expectancy of any other race in this country.
• They are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and 40 percent more likely to have high blood pressure.
• African American women are 40 percent more likely to die from breast cancer – even though they are 10 percent less likely to be diagnosed with it.
• And the statistic that impacts all of that: African-Americans are more likely to be uninsured than white Americans.

These health inequalities impact our nation’s potential – from access to education to the stability of families and communities.

But we now have a chance to close these gaps.

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 7.8 million African Americans with private insurance from both inside and outside the Marketplace now have access to expanded preventive services with no cost-sharing. That includes screenings for cancer, pap smears and mammograms, well-child visits, and flu shots.

As of June 2014, 1.7 million African Americans (ages 18-64) gained private or public health insurance coverage during the initial open enrollment period. That’s a 6.8 percentage point drop in the uninsured rate over that time.

These changes are helping people all over this country get the care they need. These changes mean a doctor can find a cancerous lump with enough time to intervene. They mean a mom will learn how to manage her diabetes before it threatens her life. They mean that a dad will be able to afford the prescription that keeps his blood pressure in check. And they are helping families sleep a little easier at night, knowing a sickness or an accident won’t wipe out their life savings.

If you or someone you know needs health insurance, now is the time to act! The Open Enrollment deadline is February 15, and there is less than a week left to sign up.

HealthCare.gov—or the 24/7 call center at 1-800-318-2596—has more choices this year and that means more competition. We’ve worked hard to make the consumer experience simpler, faster, and more intuitive. And financial help is available…in fact the majority of people —87% to be exact – who selected 2015 plans through HealthCare.gov got financial assistance to help lower the cost of their premiums.

During this Open Enrollment, we have the opportunity to help our friends and neighbors get the coverage and care they need. Help us spread the word about affordable, quality coverage at HealthCare.gov.

This Sunday EMPIRE TALKS BACK Radio will cover

“Covered California’s” effort to recruit Affordable Care Act sign-ups before the February 15th deadline…

In-studio interviews with Dumas Martin & members of his “Idea Club” discussing their business ventures…

National Save Our Sons Night | 2-6-15

ATLANTA, GA- On Friday, February 6, 2015, the first annual NATIONALSAVE OUR SONS NIGHT (NSOSN) will take place across the country.  On this evening, various partners from faith-based, national and local nonprofits, and individual community members are hosting events to encourage and facilitate fathers spending more quality time with their sons. Currently there are 111 organizations in 62 cities registered to participate in support of the effort and facilitating activities to engage fathers/men and sons/boys.

“I am both humbled and excited that so many organizations from around the country have stepped up to the plate,” says Kenneth Braswell, Executive Director of Fathers Incorporated and founder of the campaign. “It is important that we set a new social image of black men and boys; one that shows them as loving, engaged and accountable.”

The campaign is supported by both Chris Broussard (ESPN Commentor) and Fred Hammond (Award Winning Gospel Artist) serving as national spokespersons. “So much of our work has been supported by both of these men of integrity. Their understanding of the need of America’s fathers and sons and those in the Black community more specifically has been demonstrated in how Fathers Incorporated has witnessed their own engagement in the lives of their children and community.”

Fathers Incorporated (FI), a not-for-profit organization, serves as a leader in the promotion of Responsible Fatherhood and Mentoring.  Its international, national, and local focus raises awareness about, and combats the impact of father absence. Fathers Incorporated works to change the current societal and cultural definition of family to include fathers.

For more information on National Save Ours Sons Night and to see a complete listing of both our partners and events, visit www.saveoursonsnight.com To learn more about Fathers Incorporated, please visit www.fathersincorporated.com .

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

Really … You sound just like the people in the Book of Haggai. Selfish; self-centered.  They were only thinking about themselves, building their own houses and planting their crops, and not taking time to build the house of the Lord. Well I want you to know that they found trouble (Haggai 1:6). The Lord was making it known why they were in the condition they were in: sowing much, and bringing little in; eating, but not having enough; drinking, but not filled; clothed, but not warm, having a paycheck but no money! Their need was not being met… “Utterly meaningless, says the Teacher” {Ecclesiastes 1:2}.  Perhaps I should remind you of what Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seemeth right to a man, but in the end thereof it leads to death.” Don’t be a fool! Remember the parable of the rich man. He said I’ll build me a barn to house all of my things. This man didn’t take time to consider his ways and make sure his soul was right with God. When he got his bigger barns finished, the Lord said, this night your soul is required of you… Are you sure you want to do your own thang? I wouldn’t want to be one who is carried away wanting to do my own thing and not putting God first. It can only mean disaster. You know many of the “things” written in the Bible are examples, both positive and negative, from which we are able to learn how we are or are not to behave and think before God. A lot of those examples are of selfish people who illustrate the characteristics and consequences having an improper attitude toward self. Cain {Genesis 4.)  Ahab (1King 21}… David {2 Samuel 11} …James and John {Matt 20}… the Older Brother of the Prodigal {Luke 15}…just to name a few.

Listen, Haggai message was simple. It was a message of priority: Put first things first. His message was blunt. He pulled no punches and wasted no words. Haggai said stop making excuses, cease being selfish! God sought to warn the people to heed His words. Twice Haggai instructed the people, ‘consider your ways (1:5, 7). Which they did not. Therefore they were rebuked of the Lord because they were selfish and self-centered; letting the house of God lie waste, while every man ran to his own house. They had pushed God out of the center and because of that they suffered in every area. I tell you we too will get a rebuke from the Lord when we don’t do things God’s way. We really should take time to consider our ways. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want God to call for a drought for me as he did for the Jews. He called for a drought upon the land, the mountains, the corn, the new wine, the oil, and upon that which the ground would bring forth. Upon men, upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands. The Lord did that. Why? Because of a stiff-necked, selfish, self-centered people. He caused the heaven to be stayed from dew and the earth to be stayed from her fruit (verse 10). All because they wanted to do things their way and not God’s way. God is letting us know just what can happen to us if we refuse to do things His way. He knows how to get our attention. He knows how to deal with us that we might know we’re not doing it the way He wants us to do it. With this strong indictment and devastating predicament, the people realized they had caused their own calamites. The people were ready to evaluate their situation. Yes, we must put aside the things we desire, put aside our self-centered ways, and put the work of the Lord first. The psalmist declared: “I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies” (Ps 119:59). Here in Haggai God shows us what happened to His people, and He lets us know why it happened. They didn’t see the need to build the house of God. I tell you we should be building up the house of God, working together to further the kingdom of God. Going out to minister to souls and bringing them into the church, where they can hear the Word of the Lord being preached and get saved, if they haven’t already given their hearts to the Lord.

Out of God’s love and mercy, He sends His prophets and preaches to remind us of His faithfulness – and in turn, to remind us as His people to be faithful and obedient as well. He has given us His Word to sound the alarm. Not only did God warn them, but He also offered promises through His servant Haggai to motivate them to follow Him. Don’t you know that if your priorities are not in order, your life will not be in order? If your priorities are not right, you won’t be right. Listen, you don’t have to pray about what your number one priority in life ought to be. You don’t have to think about it. You don’t have to discuss it. You don’t have to look for it. You just have to do it. Because Jesus has already told us what our first priority ought to be, “seek ye first the kingdom of God.”  Jesus wants the first moments of everyday. Jesus wants the first day of every week. Jesus wants the first part of every paycheck. He wants to be first… Put “Self” to Death {Galatians 2:20}. I tell you, the kingdom of God ought to be the obsession of your life. We are not free to do as we please. We belong to God {Ezekiel 18:4}. Our lives belong to the Lord {Romans 14:7-8} and we live for the will of God {1Peter 4:1-2}. For the whole duty of man is to serve God {Ecclesiastes 12:13}. It’s not about you, but God… Stop being selfish and accept God’s prerogative as a great comfort to your soul. Cease striving, let go, relax and know that He is God. He will be exalted among the nations. He will be exalted in the earth, and He will be exalted in your life. Look to him and be saved. It’s Not Your Prerogative…. It’s God’s Prerogative!

Troy D. Taylor

It’s a beautiful day in the I.E., and I’m glad about it! It’s ya’ girl the crazy one, Miss LUE coming at you with ‘What it Do’! Sometimes it’s hard to select whom to feature in my column due to all the talent everywhere. This week’s selection was a no brainer. I would like to introduce a hardworking man that goes by the name of Troy D. Taylor.

Troy D. Taylor is a rational and impartial individual who enjoys intellectual pursuits and prizes independence is undoubtedly designed to be an entrepreneur. Troy D. Taylor, aka DjCahoots, is a California native that is a self-taught drummer. He has spent the last ten years producing music. After successfully going through and completing an accelerated academic program, Troy proudly served his country and emerged as a leader. His all-inclusive media arts and entertainment company, Rigorous Grind, is the invention of his analytic mind.

Rigorous Grind strategically responds to all of the industry needs through comprehensive service offerings. Troy Taylor’s life experiences has made him incredibly comfortable with hard work and high standards; he is a confident and knowledgeable pioneer in a demanding and competitive market. Please check him out on Facebook under Troy D. Taylor and the awesome services he provides.

Well that’s it that’s all! Until next week ONE LOVE!

Publishers Commentary by Wallace J. Allen

Freedom does not negate physics. Newton’s law of motion says, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction…”

I am free to say what I want and you are free to respond! I am free to vaccinate and you are free to not vaccinate. I am free to hope that my vaccination shields me from measles etc… You are free to ’dodge’ or catch the measles, etc. You are free to ’dodge’ or catch the measles.

As to the child that is too young to vaccinate and is vulnerable and dependent on others being vaccinated, the parent/guardian must take charge. Since that parent/guardian cannot take charge of who is and who is not vaccinated, they must take charge of their child. If your child’s immune system is vulnerable should you trust the probability of others being vaccinated any more than you would trust a daycare service operated by the ”Redeemed Child Molester’s Association?”

Our society does not require people to make smart decisions. We are allowed the freedom to decide for ourselves with good or bad decisions. That same freedom requires us to deal with the repercussions, as well as the rewards of our decisions.

Freedom can be confusing and frustrating, and definitely requires responsibility. When confronted with the “Jim Crow” laws of the post civil war era, an era that obviously paid no heed to political correctness, a formerly enslaved man was overheard to say “Freedom can be a ‘B-word’!”

Quiana Lewis

(Quiana Lewis joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in 2014 as a program associate, working to build a Culture of Health by helping all American residents attain stable, affordable health coverage.)

By Quiana Lewis

I am one of the more than 22,000 alumni whose careers have been shaped and lives changed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP).

For me, medicine was a logical decision: my academic performance in science was good, I liked interacting with people, and I didn’t want to be a lawyer.

Clearly, my perceptions of medicine and careers in health were limited.

Then came my SMDEP summer at UCLA, one of the most transformative experiences of my college education. A pipeline program for students who typically are underrepresented in health care fields, SMDEP exposed me to the study and practice of medicine and dentistry that enriched my understanding for both fields. I shadowed physicians, received enrichment in core science subjects, and learned how to excel in medical and dental school. I also received hands-on laboratory experience to create dental models and conducted health screenings at community fairs.

The unexpected lessons from the program, however, were the ones that stuck with me most.

The core science classes were structured using case-based learning methods. This was a departure from the didactic way I was used to learning science. The curriculum used patient case studies to teach biology, anatomy, and physiology. The lessons were investigative in nature and discussion-based. We discussed not only patients’ medical issues, but also the socioeconomic factors affecting them. This piqued my interest. Until then, I had not thought deeply about the impact of systems on the health of individuals. Throughout that summer, I read books and journal articles about the social determinants of health, medical anthropology, and epidemiology. The more I read, the more questions I posed, and the more I realized this was the career path for me.

After SMDEP, I continued to explore the vast world of public health at school and in subsequent summer programs. I graduated from Fisk University, and went on to obtain a master’s degree in public health from Yale University. Since graduate school, I have worked in state and local health departments, community organizations, and health consulting firms.

My public health journey has come full circle. I discovered my passion for population health with the help of RWJF, by way of SMDEP. Now, as an RWJF employee, I work with the Foundation to build a Culture of Health across the nation.

Without SMDEP, I might never have discovered my passion.

SMDEP is currently recruiting for its 2015 summer program through March 1, at 12 sites across the country, including Case Western Reserve University, Columbia University, Duke University, Howard University, Rutgers University, University of Texas, UCLA, University of Louisville, University of Nebraska, University of Virginia, University of Washington, and Yale University.

For more information, visit http://smdep.org/apply-to-smdep/

Lou Coleman

By Lou Coleman

What I’m going to say today is going to tick some of you off. The more churched you are, probably the bigger problem you’re going to have with this message. Many of you will probably ask when you are done reading it, if you decide to finish it; just who does she think she is? The answer to your question: “Tell them that I AM sent you, and then tell them why!”… …There are many who teach and many who believe that if you have said, “The Sinner’s Prayer” that you’re, “Goin’ Up Yonder to be with your Lord.”… That you’re going to Heaven… That your ticket has been purchased…  Well, in {Matt. 7:21-23} Jesus makes one of the most startling statements in the entire Bible. ..He says that not everyone who claims Him as Lord will be saved… He is telling us that there will be some people who will think they are saved, but who, in fact, are still lost and headed to Hell. Many religious people, including some believers in Jesus, will learn that they too will be lost. Jesus makes it clear that not all who profess Him possess Him. A mere profession of Jesus as Savior is not enough to save! A person may believe in the doctrines of the faith. They may be sincere and good. However, merely saying you know Jesus is not enough to save your soul. Belonging to the church, being a good person, doing religious things, etc., are all good, but none of them can save the soul. That’s tough, but we need to be honest. “Everybody Talkin’ Bout Heaven Ain’t Going There!” {Matthew: 7:13-14}.

You know as Jesus drew near to the end of the Sermon on the Mount, He takes the time to remind men of the seriousness of their salvation. He wanted all who heard Him to be sure that they were genuinely converted. I want you to know that is only my desire for each of us. Sadly, however, many will suffer in eternal condemnation because they refuse to believe the Lord’s teaching about who will be saved and go to heaven. Jesus tells us that entering heaven will not be easy. This is a surprise to most people, because they have been taught that the way to heaven is easy. They’ve been taught, “All you have to do to be saved is believe in Jesus.” I tell you, there is a great difference between what men teach today and what Jesus taught then. Jesus tells us that there are not many people going in through this strait gate and narrow way. He says, “Few there be that find it.” This too, is a surprise to many folks, because they believe that most people will be saved because most people believe in God. While it may not agree with what most have been taught and believe… it is clear and easy to understand.  Jesus says we must DO the Will of God. We must not just believe in God, but we must also believe God! We must believe God enough to Do His Will. Here, Jesus clears up the matter of what brings salvation to a life. He says that people are saved by “Doing the will of His Father.” That is the problem with the teaching of many who are false prophets and teachers today. They are telling people that all one must do is believe in Jesus in order to be saved. They say we are saved by “faith only.” This is a false teaching. God has never said it, but men teach it. In fact, we have seen that Jesus has said just the opposite.  I tell you we can tiptoe and dance all around the truth until our feet are sore and calloused, but it will not change the truth, it will not open the doors to heaven one millimeter , and no one more person will enter in… Heaven is prepared for those… who are prepared.

Here is the dividing line: Those who DO the Father’s Will! {James 1:22-25}. Only those who come on God’s terms will enter Heaven… What is God’s terms…. God’s terms for entering Heaven are confession, repentance, and a genuine trust and commitment in Jesus alone.  Many people want to go to heaven but are unwilling to do these things…They want to do either one or the other.  Many people think they are going to heaven, but they have not admitted they are sinners, they have not turned from an ungodly life, and they have not genuinely trusted in Jesus alone for salvation and really put Him first in their lives.  There are millions of people who claim to believe in Jesus, who use His name, who call Him “Lord,” expecting heaven but will only receive hell. The fact is clearly stated by Jesus who said many will say, “Lord, Lord,” who will not enter the kingdom.  It’s a strange thing but it is something that has to be emphasized. If there is the slightest doubt in your heart that you aren’t genuinely converted, you need to repent of your repentance. I tell you “Everybody Talking’ Bout Heaven Ain’t Goin’ There!” …Who report are you going to believe? Man or Jesus?

Listen, our obedience to Christ is a very serious decision and must not be taken lightly. It must be on the Lord’s terms as laid out in the Scriptures and not on our terms. We have already seen in {Matthew 7:13-14, 21}, only a few will be saved, and many will be lost, and only those who DO the will of the Father will go to heaven. There is no other way. No single condition, that God imposes, can be ignored. God has no non-essential commands. The only source of information on what God has truly said can only come from the Bible. We must seek God’s answer on the matter in “what saith the Lord.” It’s not shocking for Jesus first words to His disciples in the book of Matthew to be, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In the days that followed, he taught them that He “came to seek and to save what was lost,” and He told them that just as the Father had sent Him into the world, He would send them into the world. Subsequently, we are not surprised when the last words of Jesus to His disciples are, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” This is God’s will in the world: to create, call, save and bless His people for the spread of His grace and glory among all peoples. This will is not intended to be found; it is intended to be followed. We don’t have to wonder about God’s will when we’ve been created to walk in it. We have no need to ask God to reveal His will for our lives; instead, we need to ask God to align our lives with the will He has already revealed.  God’s will for us as disciples of Jesus is to make disciples of Jesus in all nations…The problem of confusion on this matter is because men, preachers, and denominations have appealed to human logic and reasoning instead of simply consulting God on the matter. Prove it to yourself.  Read what Jesus says…. {Matt.7:13-15; 22:14; 13:24-30; 13:36-43; 22:14}… {Mark 3:34-35} … {1Tim 2:1-4}…  {1Thes 5:16-19}… {John 7:17 – 8:30-32}… {Roman 8:27; 12:2}… {2Corin 8:16 -13:5}… {1Pet 2:13-16 – 3:17 – 4:19}… {2Peter 1:10}… {Rom 6:17-18}… {James 1:22-25}… {1John 2:16-17}… {Ephesians 2:8-9}…. because “Everybody Talking’ Bout Heaven Ain’t Goin’ There… Uh-Oh!”

What it do! I’m coming ATCHA with another talented artist alert. I mean the IE is just saturated with them. This week I want to show love to Daniel Jackson who is known as “AP the Great.” This rapper/songwriter wears many hats. Currently, he is signed to the record label Most Wanted Records, an independent label based out of San Bernardino.

AP the Great has been rapping since the age 15, and has been inspired by God, family, and a never-ending hunger for greatness. This artist is making his way in the industry.  Also having an eye for fashion, AP is the CEO of BUYDJdesigns, an upcoming new fashion line. His current EP project, “Lost in my Thoughts”, can be found on iTunes and on the group mixtape “World domination”, which can be found on MostWantedRecords.com.

AP is working on a new album which is set to release in June of this year. It will feature his first single set to be released in February of this year. Don’t sleep on the artist, AP The Great! I think his music is GREAT! Follow him on Instagram @mostwantedap and Twitter @mostwantedap. Until next week and please support Indie Music! L’s Up!