A photoshoot on the beach of Grand Cayman! Thank you, Father God, for this amazing birthday trip. I have my family and dear friends celebrating with me and it is such a blessing. 🤍 From left to right: Aunt Mary, Carolyn, Aunt Ruth, Ivy, Aunt Betty, the Birthday Girl, Mom, Fay, Leslie, Simone, Lois 🤍🇰🇾 #shaunsbirthdayvacation 7/11 ♋️🦀
An amazing United Nations Foundation Girl Up Leadership Summit in our nation’s capital this week. I proudly serve on the Advisory Board of Girl Up and I’m so impressed with our Girl Ambassadors fighting for gender equality, education, an end to gender-based violence, reproductive rights, and more. These girls are phenomenal and are our nations next leaders!
Just hours after hearing the soul-crushing Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action programs at colleges, came the news that Dr. Christine King Farris, the eldest sister of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had passed away at the age of 95. Dr. Farris was a teacher of mine at Spelman College. As a civil rights activist and educator at an HBCU, Dr. Farris spent her life fighting for equality and against racism. She would always emphasize to us students that we were to excel in our studies and never take the blessing of a good education for granted. Of course, Dr. Farris knew that so many students have been denied opportunity and opening doors is what will bring equality. How disappointed she would have been at the #SCOTUS ruling. But, one thing Dr. Farris was not - and that was a quitter. On this day, she would say, “Be like Martin”, carry on and never give up the fight!
My Sister. My Friend. 💖 I thank God for family - those through blood and those through blessing. I was in my hometown Detroit this weekend where I had the honor of being a bridesmaid at the wedding of my dearest Alison Vaughn and her new husband Andre Smith. Your wish for your girlfriends is that they find someone who puts them first, who is kind to them and who supports their dreams. And Alison has found that in Andre - my new brother. I’m over the moon - thrilled for them both and their future together! 👰🏾♀️ 💍 🤵🏾♂️ I love you both so much! ❤️
This was a busy week. On Wednesday, I attended a reception for First Lady Jill Bide at the home of my dear friend and Board member of my foundation, Attorney Lisa Gilford. The First Lady was so gracious and has a wonderful sense of humor. Then, yesterday, I had the first-time opportunity to attend a Meet-and-Greet with Vice President Kamala Harris who was accompanied by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. It was so cool to see Air Force Two land at LAX and be escorted by, at least, 10 Secret Service cars. 🇺🇸
Every time your #BornDay comes along, I have to try to find the words describing the impact you had on my life..the deep conversations full of your wisdom about business and dealing-making; you calling me “Harriett” as in “Tubman”, me, calling you “P”; the (countless) late-night jam sessions at your house(s)…(and that particular celeb who wanted to come and you were like, “No, not ever.” *kudos*); the many friends I now have that you introduced me to; the dinners with my beloved Dad and how cool you thought he was especially when you called him onstage in Vegas. Just too many memories. No, you did not celebrate birthdays. So, on this day, I’ll just say, “Rest easy, P. Thanks for the memories.” #Prince 💜
It was an incredible day of amazing women at The Ladylike Foundation “Women of Excellence” Awards. My friend Leah Pump has built such an incredible nonprofit organization that provides scholarships, mentoring and so much more for girls. Congratulations to all the honorees. Giving back to the next generation!
It was a wonderful time celebrating the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls’ 7th Anniversary!
It was such a lovely evening celebrating our longtime pastor and First Lady - Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer and Togetta Ulmer. So many friends came out to the backyard soirée given by Dr. Pearl Grimes including Mayor Karen Bass and Tavis Smiley.
A peek behind-the-scenes taping ‘90Day Fiance: The Other Way on TLC.
Lavender is one of the colors of my foundation - the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls - so I love being on theme when we have a celebration. Last week… Heading to our 7th Anniversary reception! 💜
Hope you can tune in to Part 2 of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way Tell All this weekend!
Sharing a few pictures (more to come!) of our beautiful evening celebrating the 7th Anniversary of my nonprofit, the S.H.A.U.N. Foundation for Girls. So blessed and thankful for the support of dear friends since I have been on this journey to create an organization that will help uplift and empower underserved and underrepresented girls and young women. 💜 (Second pic) Our #MAGNOLIA Award honoree, my friend, the amazing Debra Lee, former CEO of BET Networks and author of the new book, ‘I AM DEBRA LEE’. The Magnolia, is the symbol of our foundation and symbolizes strength and beauty and Debra was the perfect honoree! (Third pic) I love talking about our mission! (4th pic), My gorgeous and talented friend, the incredible award-winning and former NBC’s The Voice singer Ashley Tamar serenading our guests, accompanied by Ash Jangda. (5th pic) My dear friends and board members, Secretary Lisa Gilford and #JSimoneJones. (Not pictured, Treasurer Ivy Walker). Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Photos by Joan Fuller. Event planner extraordinaire William Miller 💜
