6th Annual Cinderella Ball featuring Meagan Good

On January 15th, 2012, seven HerShe Debutantes, Meagan, Precious, Angelica, Ashley, Audriahna, Elizabeth, and Felicia, celebrated their very special night with loved ones and long time supporters at the beautiful Olympic Collection.

The night commenced with an art auctionhosted by Kenadie Cobbin Richardson, HerShe Founder and CEO, and HerShe board member, Juanita Palacios-Sims. The art was created by our very own HerShe girls under the tutelage of the very talented Michael Massenburg.

The auction quickly gave way to an inspirational dance of Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song,” choreographed by HerShe Debutante Program
Manager, Kendal Robinson and performed by our HerShe Girls.

From “Love that Girl,” the Disney Show “Shake it up!” and the DC Comics DVD “Justice League: Doom,” Phil Morris presided over the entire evening as the host for our 6th Annual Cinderella
Ball.

Our HerShe girls’ second expression of artistic elegance was a theatrical presentation written and produced by the wonderful Kenneth Brown and directed by the industrious ladies of Onlave
Signature Productions, Alana, Lauren and Ontwanet. The theatrical presentation
was a tribute to female pioneers and trailblazers who have shaped our world and was
performed by HerShe ladies in waiting, Ebony and Kristine and HerShe debutante,
Ashley.

One of the hottest young female singing groups out there, Lil Miz, who have also opened for Lil Kim, followed the theatrical presentation with a very high energy performance.

A reading of our HerShe girls’ poetry and prose, which was collected and developed for two beautiful years by HerShe writing coach, Annie Stein, was performed by the talented Meagan Good (from the films "Stomp The Yard" "Waist Deep” and "Jumping The Broom") Kendyl Joi, Phyllis Bailey Brooks (From CBS’ Comfort Creatures) and by our Cinderella Ball Production Director, Iona Morris (From TV Show “Moesha”). A Featured singer with Macy Gray, Fantasia’s background singer and the lead singer of the group The Endangered, Miss Maiya Sykes immediately sang the moving song “Beauty from Ashes” after the reading.

The prose and poetry read by our talented celebrity supporters can now be found in our first
published book entitled “Beauty from Ashes: Volume 1.”

Before our beautifully talented Debutantes and escorts were presented by Debutante Program Manager, Kendal Robinson and our Host, Phil Morris, our ladies in waiting were presented by HerShe Program Director, Indiana Garcia and HerShe Graduation Coach, Phaebra Croft.
After being presented to their HerShe family and long time supporters, our HerShe debutantesand escorts moved many Ball attendees to tears through their choreographed dance of CeCe Winans “Always Sisters” and Mary J. Blidge’s “Living Proof.”

After acknowledging and thanking thevolunteers, staff and donors that made the 6th annual Cinderella Ball a reality, the elegant and magical night ended with a celebratory desert
reception!

Special Thanks to the following people for making the 6th Annual Cinderella Ball not only possible, but also a success!

HerShe Caregivers

HerShe Mentors:
Aasia Kinney
Amy Gumbs
Amy Meyers
Candice Swinson
Kari Archie
Kimberly Vandriver
LaQueena Litzey
Lauren Duda
Melena Taylor
Schanda Stroud
Shinina Butler
Staci Smith
Ta’mur Rashul
Tammy Burrell Henderson
Tonya Gorham
Yahvoh Totimeh
Yung Phan
Zenja Dunn
Twinkie Byrd

HerShe Staff:
Kendal Robinson
Nina Bryson
Phaebra Croft
Desma Simon
Indiana Garcia
Darice Goodwin

Escorts:
Shaunkese Hamer
Douglas Sallie
Jae Hughes
Darnell Cates
Isiah Johnson
Drew Phillips
Malik Gillum

Production Director:
Iona Morris

DJ & Sound:
Edward Lair
Alana Smith

Presenters/Performers:
Phil Morris
Maiya Sykes
Meagan Good
Kendyl Joi
Lil Miz

Volunteers:
Phyllis Bailey Brooks
Courtney Wayne Linsey
Elayn Taylor
Patrice Marshall
Maria Rice
Maurissa Sanders
Juanita Palacios-Sims
Jasmine Stovall
Porchia Burnett
Delores Bonner
Patrice Williams
The Ladies of Sigma Gamma Roe

Segment Producers:
Renda Pettis
Kenneth Brown
Ladies of Onlave: Ontwanet, Alana and Lauren
Michael Massenburg

General Support:
Christian Epps
Angstrom lighting
Blair Brooks
Christina Bentley
Yvonne Guillen
Perfect Success Event
Management
Scarlett Flowers Design

Photographer:
Leah Lerner
Erik V. Simpson Photography

Make-Up:
Merc Arcenaux
Denise Ruiz
Belinda Simpson
Jasmine Stovall
Angela Young-Brinn

Wardrobe:
Wendell Carmichael
(Wynningz by Wyndell)
Chuck Brown
Georgine Clayton
Rent‐A‐Tux


DCFS:
Annie Fultz
Stacie Ottley

Maurissa Sanders Mitchem

HerShe Board of Directors:
Duffy Humbert
Kenadie Cobbin Richardson
Annie Stein
Barbara Savage
Cynthia Oredugba
Delaina Thomas
Jalenda Motley
Joyce Guinyard
Juanita Palacios-Sims
Mary Anderson
Pamela Bright-Moon
Roberta Falke
Michelle Barton Brown

Donors:
HerShe Fundraising
Committee
Bob Poe Charitable
Foundation
Jamila Hunter
Simon Strauss Foundation
Benenson Family
Foundation
Capital Group Companies
Charitable Foundation

Table Sponsors:
Annie Stein
Duffy Humbert
Delaina Thomas
Jamila Hunter
Kenadie and Gentry
Richardson
Pamela Bright Moon
Roberta Falke
Yasmin Delahoussaye

Additional Cinderella Sponsor:
Bebe
Westchester Christian Church

Hair:
Spa 313
Keokia Childress
Sharon Mackey

Westchester ChristianChurch:

Sharon Mackey
Barbara Ford
Pastor Crissina

Saturday, August 27^th, 2011 was a very busy day for HerShe since we not only had our Mentor/Mentee Match Day, but we also had our first annual Back to School Shopping event for the girls.

Our Fundraising committee outdid themselves with this event by securing donated clothes, bags, shoes and school supplies from a number of sources, namely Ed Hardy, GAP and Hollister. The HerShe girls were given HerShe bucks, the amount depended on their merit. Some girls were given up to nineteen HerShe bucks due to their punctuality, being a part of the Cahuenga Library Community Service day, etc, which meant they most certainly went on a shopping spree since all items at our Back to School Shopping event were priced at one dollar.

Before the girls were allowed to shop, members of the Fundraising Committee gave the girls a styling 101 presentation. They emphasized the importance of not allowing one’s clothes be the source for why one feels beautiful because true beauty comes from within.

By the end of the event, over a hundred items were sold and each girl had giant bags of clothes/school supplies to take home.When asked what they felt about our first annual HerShe Back to School Shopping event, the HerShe girls stated:

“I like how they gave us a whole speech and real tips on how they think about fashion before letting us shop. They stressed that beauty comes from within and they made sure we knew this before they let us shop.” (Elizabeth H.)

“It was new. They had different brands, dresses, shorts, skirts and pants. They connected with us by helping us shop and constantly asking us if we needed help.” (Ms. M)

“It was great! I got some uniform pants and the best thing about it was that it was free!” (Dyahnne S.)

“It was great! Everybody went away with something, which is what’s important.” (Meagan W)

“There were so many options. All the girls were excited and it was tons of fun.” (Ebony CW)

Special thanks to the fundraising committee for making this event possible! And Good luck on your first day of school, HerShe girls!

HerShe's Community Service Day - 8/6/11

On Saturday, August 6, 2011, the HerShe Group had its first community service day of the Zeta program year at the Cahuenga Branch Library in Hollywood.

Every month, individuals from the Los Angeles community gather together at the library and have a mini-cleanup/gardening session. Andrew Carnegie built the library in 1916, making it the oldest library in the state of California.

HerShe girls were fortunate enough to help with the cleanup. Elson Trinidad, a member of the CahuenGardeners, which is the organization responsible for setting up the monthly cleanups, put the girls straight to work immediately after they arrived at the library.

The HerShe girls helped pick up trash, weed, water plants and sweep the front and backside of the library. By the end of the session, the library looked great and we went home rejuvenated with the spirit of giving.

Thank you, CahuenGardeners for inviting us to this mini-cleanup! We look forward to working with you again!

Also, a special thanks to Indiana Garcia for finding this opportunity to give back to Mother Earth!!

Drinking for a Good Cause -- Wine Tasting @ Rideau Vineyard

The HerShe group hosted a wine tasting fundraising event at the tranquil and beautiful Rideau Vineyard (http://rideauvineyard.com) in Solvang, California.

HerShe supporters had a chance to sit back and enjoy the ride up the coast in a comfortable private bus with DVD players showing classic Soul Train episodes and of course, presentations of events featuring the HerShe girls.

The day started out cool and overcast but by the time we arrived to the Santa Ynez Valley vineyard, it was sunny with a slight breeze. We were greeted by the hospitable Iris Rideau, who graciously advised two of our HerShe girls on how to achieve greatness, mainly by believing in themselves. She also shared the fascinating story of how she started with an old dilapidated farm but with a dream and determination, turned that blank canvas into an award winning winery owned by the first African American in the United States. What a fine realization to a dream.

We were all enjoying the beauty of the rose gardens, the fabulous home Ms. Rideau built and the remodeled barn that she transformed into a wine tasting room that is now a historical landmark.

The wine tasting was fun, the food was delicious and the peaceful tranquility was difficult to leave but as we boarded the bus to depart, our bus driver surprised us with the news that the fun wasn’t over yet. We had time to make one last stop in downtown Solvang to see its shops, Dutch appeal and pick up additional souvenirs besides the wine that accompanied us from the Rideau vineyard. Aaaahhhh the wine.

On the ride home, some of us slept, some read, some chatted and then there were the ones who couldn’t wait to open their sweet Rieslings and it took the game of Taboo to a whole ‘nother level of fun.

HerShe would like to thank all the supporters of this event. The feedback was so positive that the decision was made to make this an annual event. So get ready for next year where drinking will be for a good cause.

by Michele Clark

HerShe Girl “Bridges” into Adulthood

Last Sunday, the HerShe Group invited over 75 guests to witness the first annual HerShe Bridging Ceremony designed and written by Hattie Winston, Lynn Claire Stuart and Kenadie Cobbin Richardson. This year, three HerShe girls will be transitioning from adolescence into adulthood; however, the ceremony honored one young lady – Erika Jones.

The ceremony began with all of the girls dressed in all-white entering the room. Twinkie Byrd was the regal mistress of ceremonies, director and also the one-on-one mentor of the young lady “bridging” into the adult world. As Twinkie began speaking from the podium, she held back tears as she contemplated the road that was completing and the road that was just beginning for her mentee.

As famed musician, Munyongo Jackson, played a determined drum beat, the younger girls who have yet to reach emancipation age showed their HerShe sister love by placing symbolic artifacts in a decorative box.   In this box, Erika received silver ribbons that represented each person in the HerShe community, a glass slipper symbolizing her ability to take her place in the world, an ankh symbolizing her faith and femininity, and a butterfly representing her transformation from a girl to a woman.

After all of the girls presented the HerShe prayer, pledge and song, Erika Jones was “sworn in” to adulthood by HerShe Group founder, Kenadie Cobbin Richardson. Erika promised to leave childish things behind and embrace all that it means to be a young adult woman.

Finally, the time came when she would physically bridge into society. With the HerShe community behind her and the community at-large in front of her, charismatic Rev. John Cager spoke words of wisdom and encouragement on behalf of the world she was now entering. He reminded her that her HerShe family would always be there and it would be up to her to include and involve her HerShe family with her new life as an adult. It was truly an amazing moment.

Kenadie would like to send a special THANK YOU to LYNN CLAIRE STUART who was the catalyst for this ceremony taking place. She worked tirelessly in her effort to create, perfect and format the ceremony especially for HerShe girls. She deserves all of the love and adoration from all 75 guests and especially HerShe Group’s founder, Kenadie Cobbin Richardson.

Ebony Magazine Honors Kenadie Cobbin & the HerShe Group

Ebony’s first annual Sisterspeak Luncheon salutes “women making a powerful difference.” Ebony and Pine-Sol Brand Cleaners hosted the Los Angeles Sisterspeak Luncheon featuring the very funny and inspiring, Diane Amos (the Pine-Sol Lady) and author/speaker, Natasha Munson. Anchorwoman Pat Harvey was the mistress of ceremonies. The event was held on September 8 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The uplifting event was limited to 250 lucky women.

The Ebony/Pine Sol award was given to Kenadie Cobbin-Richardson in honor of her hard work and dedication to the HerShe Group. Clorox, the makers of Pine Sol also made a donation to the HerShe Group in support of its important work in the foster care community.

Ebony Magazine expects to feature the Sisterspeak Luncheons in the December issue. Sisterspeak Luncheons were also held in Atlanta, Chicago, and New York.

Sanaa Lathan Surprises the HerShe Group

Sanaa Lathan makes surprise visit at annual ‘Cinderella Ball.’ Sanaa Lathan was a surprise guest at the HerShe Group’s second annual “Cinderella Ball” for girls in the LA foster care system this past weekend. Lathan congratulated debutantes at the event, where she was also honored with a $20,000 donation from Soft & Beautiful hair care to the program, in recognition of Lathan’s volunteer work.

HerShe Group welcomes Sanaa Lathan to Annual Cinderella Ball

SHHHHHH!

ACTRESS SANAA LATHAN MAKES SURPRISE APPEARANCE AT HERSHE GROUP'S 2nd ANNUAL CINDERELLA BALL

Sanaa Lathan will surprise deserving young girls at an annual celebration of their successful
transition from foster care into society.

WHO: Actress, SANAA LATHAN, who’s starred in films like Brown Sugar, Love & Basketball, Something New, Out of Time opposite Denzel Washington and A Raisin in the Sun opposite Sean Combs airing on ABC later in the year, to make her surprise appearance.

WHAT: The HerShe Group hosts it's 2nd Annual Cinderella Ball, a prominent fundraising ball.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. PT, Saturday July 28, 2007. Members of the media, please arrive by 8:00 pm to sign in and receive your credentials that will allow you into this private event.

WHERE: Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007

BACKGROUND: Ms. Lathan has chosen The HerShe Group as the women’s charity of choice to donate thousands of dollars of Soft & Beautiful hair care products to since being crowned Ms. Soft & Beautiful. The organization empowers young women in foster care and those that have been recently emancipated, to make a successful transition from adolescence to adult independence by exposing them to extraordinary experiences through the arts, mentorship, discovery and training. The Cinderella Ball is the culmination of the training process that makes a significant difference in the lives of girls transitioning out of foster care. These young women have NO idea that Ms. Lathan will come to the ball to witness them on their big day!

The HerShe Organization holds Camp Cinderella every summer. In preparation for the Cinderella Ball the girls are trained at Camp Cinderella. Areas of training include personal & social development, self-esteem, forgiveness, etiquette, college & job preparation, health & nutrition, relationships and effective communication.

At the end of camp, the young girls participate in the Ball. The Cinderella ball is a black-tie formal fundraising gala that presents the young women into the society. Like that of a cotillion, they’ll be dancing the waltz with their male escorts.

Ms. Lathan’s appearance goes along with her recently being named Miss Soft & Beautiful 2007. In response, the hair care brand included a charitable donation along with hair care products to the organization.

Tickets can be purchased at www.hershegroup.org Click on "Cinderella Ball".

For bios or fact sheets on any of the above participants, call Jordan at (214) 741.2100 ext. 701