Give A Card- Make a Friend

Do you like to get gifts?  We all remember opening birthday presents when we were kids.  But before we could even open the beautiful, brightly wrapped gift, our parents always made us stop to read the card!  I can still hear by mother yelling in my ear, "Constance, be sure to open the card first!"

How Athletes Build their Brands- Marketing 101

Seventy-eight percent of NFL players and about sixty percent of NBA players end up in bankruptcy just years after retirement. But there are a few players who plan ahead by building their brands before it's too late.  

Dennis Rodman, Tim Hardaway host a “Back to School Basketball Camp”

Kids can already hear the swoosh of the baskets from their favorite players who will be participating in the All- Star Basketball! Camp at the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center in North Miami Beach,  August 13th – 16th.  NBA greats Tim Hardaway, Mark Strickland, Dennis Rodman, Terrel Harris,and  special invited guests will interact and teach boys and girls ages 6 -17 years old the game of basketball including ball handling, triple threat, post moves,  rebounding, court spacing, passing and how important it is to work as a team.

“This interactive camp teaches fundamental basketball skills, sportsmanship and team concepts. The All-Star Basketball Camp emphasis is the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, staying in school and saying no to drugs and alcohol. These core values help enhance a sense of self confidence for these young souls” boasts Floyd Raglin, President of FSM, Floyd Sports Marketing and host of this interactive All-Star Camp experience.

All-Star Basketball Camp runs from 9:00am – 4:00pm on August 9th – 12th and kids will receive lunch daily, camp shirts, certificates, photographs, autographs, and awards ceremony. Boys and girls ages 8 -17 are welcomed. Fees for JCC members are $250 and non-JCC members $375 for this All-Star experience.

For registration please contact Chris Moltmann ,Health, Sports and Wellness. Co-Camp Director, Michael-Ann Russell JCC, 18900 NE 25 Ave, North Miami Beach, FL 33180 305-932-4200 ext 193 Fax 305-937-1829.

Miami Design District’s Gallery Walk Served Up Fashion

Gallery Walk in downtown Miami is known for its artsy community. But, did you know there are tons of designers who showcase their handmade items at the monthly event. The District Factory in the Miami Design District opens their doors to these artisans, serving unique fashion finds. More than 35 local designers had a chance to sell their goodies, which included jewelry, art and apparel!

The District Factory also featured special guest and fashionista Annie Vazquez, who is known as The Fashion Poet in her online blog.

The group was founded on the belief that you can make a living doing what you love! The District Factory encourages the entrepreneurial spirit of emerging designers and artists by facilitating exchanges with the community that result in awareness, support, and ultimately commerce. 

Diversity Jellybeans

A few years ago, my friend Tracy Jackson Brown started an exciting company called--I Celebrate Diversity. The group is focused on bringing people together- from different cultural backgrounds.

Part of her project includes these cute little candies called-- Diversity Jelly Beans. Any of the 6 colors can be any flavor. It’s a big message in a small package. “Like people, you cannot determine what is on the inside by simply looking out the outside.”

 

 Click here for more details on her cool campaign!

Crafting at the Mall

 

 

Look what I found at a South Florida Mall—a crafty display! Hundreds of bright colored pieces of paper glued together to form a tree. 

 

The store display is at Joe’s Jeans in the Aventura Mall. They just opened up a few weeks ago.  The crafty display is a copy of this artistic shot--you can see it’s actually a skull vomiting the vibrant paper.

Joe’s Jeans opened boutiques in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and now MIAMI!  They sell premium denim, shoes, and accessories! Big thumbs up to them for their artistic/crafty work!  Love it! 

Sorority Life and Networking!

Over a decade ago, I joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. It was truly one of the most exciting times in my life. Not only was I a part of a fun social group, I was able to network with extraordinary women who are members of the organization.

Recently I attended our 10 year reunion in Houston, Texas. It was amazing to hear their success stories!  Lawyers, Entrepreneurs, School Administrators—We even have an actress in our group! It was truly a pleasant surprise to see how far we all had come. 

Along with building lifelong friendships, I was able to expand my professional social network!  It has helped me land job interviews and create contacts for business!  My sorority boosts wonderful members like First Lady Michelle Obama, Alicia Keys, and Rosa Parks! Click here for a link to a list of our most prominent members (I made the list! lol) 

I would ENCOURAGE you to join any networking group! Maybe a sorority isn’t your thing—but there are plenty of choices! Are you a member of any groups???