Behind the Scenes: Black Women Calling the Shots

Although, we are seeing more leading roles for African American women on the small and even the big screen (Zoe Zaldana in Avatar, Mo'Nique in Precious), it's very rare that we hear about the Black women in film on the opposite side of the lens. These women are the storytellers. The women who make sure the story is told correctly from beginning to the end. Take a look at some of the few Black women who are holdin' it down and calling the shots from behind the scenes.

• Gina Prince-Blythewood: If you’ve watched The Secret Life of Bees then you know Gina’s work. Gina directed the film which she adapted from the best-selling book by Sue Monk Kidd. She first discovered her love for directing while attending UCLA’s film school.
  
  Credits: Love and Basketball (director), The Secret Life of Bees (director), Felicity (writer), South Central (writer), A Different World (writer)
  
  
• Kasi Lemmons: Kasi is most known for her role as Ardelia Mapp in The Silence of the Lambs. She later went on to direct several films.
  
  Credits: Eve’s Bayou (director),The Caveman’s Valentine (director), Talk to Me (director)
  
  
• Sanaa Hamri: Born in Tangier, Morocco, Sanaa struggled to become an actress before deciding to try directing. In 2000, she taught herself to use an Avid editing machine and surprisingly has never taken a film making course. Before directing movies, Sanaa directed music videos for Lenny Kravitz, Prince, Joss Stone, Common, and Jay Z just to name a few.
  
  Credits: Something New (director), episodes of Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy and Men in Trees (director)
  
  
• Mara Brock Akil: After graduating from Northwestern University, Mara began her career writing for the 90's critically acclaimed series South Central. But Mara is best known for her series Girlfriends, which aired for eight seasons. Along with her husband Salim Akil, Mara owns the production company Happy Camper Productions.
  
  Credits: Moesha (writer), The Jamie Foxx Show, (producer), Girlfriends (producer), The Game (producer)
  
• Sara Finney-Johnson: A USC alum, Sara has become one of the top director/screenwriter/producers of Black sitcoms.
  
  Credits: The Parkers (writer/producer), Family Matters (writer/producer), The Parent 'Hood(writer/producer), Moesha (writer/producer)
  
• Shonda Rhimes: Shonda earned her bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College and her master's degree from USC's School of Cinema-Television. After graduation, she struggled as a writer and took on odd jobs such office administrator and counselor at a job center. After years of dedication and hard work, she finally hit it big with Grey's Anatomy.
  
  Credits: Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (writer), Crossroads (writer), The Princess Diaries/The Princess Diaries: Royal Engagement (writer),Grey’s Anatomy (creator/producer), Private Practice (creator/producer)
  
• Felicia Henderson: Felicia's passion for writing landed her a job in television at NBC as a Creative Associate. After attending the prestigious Warner Brother's Writing Camp, she landing an apprenticeship on the hit sitcom Family Matters. Later, Felicia would go on to create “Soul Food: The Series,” a one-hour drama for the Showtime Network based on the hit film, “Soul Food.” She currently teaches television drama writing at the UCLA film school.
  
  Credits: Family Matters (writer), Fresh Prince of Bel Air (writer), Moesha (producer), Sister, Sister (producer), Gossip Girl (producer), Fringe (Producer)

--Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Looking Back to Move Forward: An Ode to the Trailblazer

When you think of inspirational women of color, who comes to mind? Some say, Oprah for her ability to turn a failing talk show into a multi-million dollar nationally syndicated show and for being considered one of the most influential people in America. Others may say Halle Berry, for her effortless elegance, star power evidenced in her Academy Award win in 2001 and for her ability to captivate audiences even at age 40. Yes, both Oprah and Ms. Berry deserve their props for being great 21st century role models, however, when I think of inspiration, I think back to the lesser known trailblazers who opened the door for me to have the freedoms I enjoy today. This Black History Month, I want to salute the women whose words challenged the system, encouraged their fellow sista to reach for greatness and most importantly continue to inspire today. Now, it would be impossible to name every trailblazing woman I find inspirational, so I’ve narrowed it down to my top ten and included the quotes that I’ve come to love and use for encouragement. May you learn about someone new and hopefully their words will inspire you also.

Top Ten Inspirational Pioneers

10. Angela Davis - A political activist who worked to uplift the Black community and erase gender discrimination.

“Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionary's life. When one commits oneself to the struggle, it must be for a lifetime.”

9. Josephine Baker - An international star whose shows captivated the world. She also fought for racial equality.

“The things we truly love stay with us always, locked in our hearts as long as life remains.”

8. Alice Walker - A beloved writer whose books highlight the Black experience and bring voice, in particular, to the female struggle.

“And so our mothers and grandmothers have, more often than not anonymously, handed on the creative spark, the seed of the flower they themselves never hoped to see - or like a sealed letter they could not plainly read.”

7. Bessie Coleman - In 1921, she became the world’s first Black licensed airplane pilot and also opened a school to teach Black women how to fly.

“I refused to take no for an answer.”

6. Maxine Waters - The outspoken Congresswoman from Los Angeles has committed herself to improving the status of her fellow African American, and is currently the most senior African American woman in Congress.

“I have a right to my anger, and I don't want anybody telling me I shouldn't be, that it's not nice to be, and that something's wrong with me because I get angry.”

5. Barbara Jordan - A political trailblazer who became the first Black female senator in 1966, a post that had not been held by a Black person since 1883.

“Do not call for black power or green power. Call for brain power.”

4. Shirley Chisolm - The first Black woman elected to Congress was a political trailblazer as well. In 1972, she was the first major party Black candidate and the first woman to run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

“Tremendous amounts of talent are lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.”

3. Lorraine Hansberry - A pioneering playwright and activist, whose play, A Raisin In The Sun, was the first written by a Black woman to be performed on Broadway.

“There is always something left to love. And if you haven't learned that, you ain't learned nothing.”

2. Wilma Rudolph - Though plagued by disease and having to wear leg braces in her childhood, she refused to accept defeat. The exceptional athlete won three gold medals at the 1960 Olympics.

“I tell them that the most important aspect is to be yourself and have confidence in yourself. I remind them the triumph can't be had without the struggle.”

1. Mary Mcleod Bethune - Pioneering educator who founded Bethune-Cookman College , the National Council of Negro Women and also served during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration.

“Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it might be a diamond in the rough.”

--Amelia Jones

Brownstone Intern

Fashion Flattery: Styles That Fit Your Size

How many times have you asked a friend or boyfriend, “Do I look good in this?” Even though you knew it wasn’t the most flattering of outfits, they still said it looked great because they didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Based on your body type, there are a plethora of looks that do and don’t look good on you. There are also ways to make a simple look super chic and wearable whether its day or night!

Tall & Thin

• Skinny Jeans/Leggings
  
• Booties
  
• Solid V-neck Tee
  
• Boyfriend Blazer

This a very effortless look, that is simple and chic ,yet shows off your height!
When night comes along, you can jazz your outfit up with heels or even a studded vest.

• Neutral Blouse


• Jewel Belted Skirt
  
• Booties or Flats


• Neck Accessory (pearls, diamonds, or a chunky gold necklace!)
  

Showing off your legs and making them appear longer is the main goal. When you’re ready for a night out on the town, get the heels out and look taller and make those legs look longer!

Curvy

If you’re a curvy girl and want to play it safe, you can simply wear a loose black dress. However, it’s 2010! Be proud of your curves and show off that beautiful figure! I personally am a curvy girl, and I love each and every curve on my body!

• High-Waist Dress


• Matching Flats

If you aren’t comfortable with your arms, a cardigan or blazer can be thrown on top. Don’t be afraid to show off your curves. With high-waist dresses, the attention is taken off of the belly area and shows your curvy shape a lot better.

So girls, regardless of your size, remember SIMPLE IS CHIC! Many times, we think we have to keep adding clothing, but a basic outfit can turn into a very classy one with the addition of jewelry! A long, maybe chunky, necklace with tons of texture will do the trick! Go to your favorite jewelry store and STOCK UP on rings, earrings, and sunglasses! You never know when that random ring you bought will be the piece that will make your outfit pop!

Regardless of your body type, get a few signature pieces that look good with just about anything and aren’t too flashy to be worn only once. This can be a jewelry, your favorite shoe, or the best fitting jeans you own. Mine is my Jean Paul Gaultier Boyfriend Blazer that I found at my favorite thrift store Buffalo Exchange! It is my best friend because it serves as a sassy jacket and also the classiest piece of any of my outfits!

Finally, here are a few last things to remember!

1. Don’t be afraid to try new looks! Colors, prints, and textures are your friends!
2. Accessorize, Accessorize, and in case you forgot Accessorize!
3. Nothing will look good unless you exude the confidence!

--Rebecca Matey
Brownstone Intern

Freshen Up Your Winter Fashion

Winter woes are not just limited to chapped lips and cold fingers, for many a fashionista keeping your winter wardrobe fresh is just as great a dilemma. Fortunately for you, we’ve got the inside scoop on easy and creative ways to update your winter wardrobe and keep your style fresh. These easy to follow steps will have you ready for winter weather and looking like a million bucks (without breaking your bank).

Step 1: Layer Up
-Remember chilly weather doesn’t mean you have to hide yourself in oversized coats and sweaters. Instead, opt to layer an eye catching camisole under a sweater. Learning to layer your outfits can prove essential to creating a fashion forward look that will keep you warm even as the temperatures dip. This season, canvas coats, leather jackets and boyfriend blazers are all must have’s for bringing your winter wear together. Like the Courtney Bomber, a cropped bomber jacket for $49.50 available at Delias or for a sporty look, try the BDG Varsity jacket, $88.00 available at UrbanOutfitters.

Step 2: Accessorize Away
-Accessories are key to adding flair to any outfit and a perfect way to further display your individuality. For a more “bohemian” style, vintage and natural pieces are key to include. Ask your mother if she has any old jewelry, hats or bags. There’s sure to be something you can salvage and give new life to. For a more vibrant colorful expression, multicolored bangles and scarves never fail to add a splash of color, I found great pieces at Claire’s, like their Beaded Bracelet set, $9.50 and the Windy Flower headband, $3.80 at Forever21 that add flair to your outfit and fit any budget.

Step 3: Creative Kicks

-Many focus on the outfit but neglect the shoes. Make sure you remember that what you wear on your feet is another outlet to display your personality. No matter whether you favor the casual sneaker or the stylish boot, cold weather is all the more reason for you to be daring. On Zappos with a little searching you can find something suited to your taste, like Myca, the trendy metallic flat from Report, $68.95, which is sure to turn heads. Look for Havoc, a slouchy distressed boot with attitude to spare from Wanted, $49.99, at Piperlime another online site dedicated to shoes.

Step 4: Don’t forget to Shine
- No matter the weather, don’t forget to let your personality shine through. Whether you show your love for stripes with a new scarf or you display your personal star power with a cute pair of metallic ballet flats, remember that style doesn’t just come from what you have on, but from the inside. The outfit doesn’t make the girl but rather, the girl makes the outfit FRESH!

--Amelia Jones
Brownstone Intern

The Forgotten

You’ve heard the saying “Out of sight, out of mind” right? 9 times out of 10, we fail to realize the importance of something until it effects us directly. How many of you heard of Haiti before they were hit by that catastrophic 7.0 earthquake last week? How many knew that Haiti was one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere? I mean…I’ve heard of Haiti, but sadly I didn’t realize how poverty stricken they are. It’s sad that many people probably never thought twice about Haiti until the earthquake. On the flip side, it’s great to see so many people coming together to help with relief efforts. I know one thing’s for sure, I think we’ve all learned to appreciate the little things we often take for granted.

I think an important lesson we can learn from the situation is to appreciate the little things we often take for granted. For one day, I dare you to put a dollar (or a penny, nickel, whatever you have) in a jar every time you complain about something. I bet you’d find yourself with a lot of money. I know I would! I think now you’ll see that complaining about not getting those Seven jeans or having to catch the bus because your parents won’t let you drive their car is nothing in comparison to what teens in Haiti are going through.

I spoke with Savannah Roberson, 15, out of Oxnard CA and here’s what she had to say about the effect the earthquake in Haiti has had on her.

“It makes me realize how fortunate we are to live in the United States. I’m thankful that we have buildings that can support us. Theirs weren’t made like that because they don’t have the money. It makes me want to give back more because their country is destroyed and there is nothing they can do about it. At school, we had a fundraiser called “Hats for Haiti.” Since I go to a private school with a strict dress code we were allowed to wear hats if we donated money. Our school was able to exceed our goal of $3,000 and raise $5,000. If we had an earthquake I would want people to help us. I think we would all come together as a community if something were to happen like that here.”

I hope that this tragic situation will open our eyes to the world outside of the United States. There are a lot of people suffering overseas. I know it gets hard, but we should remember that there is always someone who has less than we do. We should always try to lend a hand. It doesn’t always have to be monetary. You can donate food or clothing to someone in need as well. Let’s not wait to until tragedy streaks to remember the forgotten.

Here are some ways to get involved with Haiti relief efforts:

• Red Cross
• World Vision
• UNICEF
• Black Gives Back

--Tymika Morrison

Brownstone Team

Reduce, ReUSE, Recycle?

Everyone has heard the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, but have you heard of the latest way to reuse called upcycling? Upcycling is the process of repurposing materials that traditionally would not be recycled. TerraCycle, the first company behind upcycling, takes items such as food wrappers, cell phones & markers and upcycles them into new products each day. As I researched their website, I discovered all kinds of cool items that have been created out of repurposed materials; everything from pencils made out of newspapers to pencil cases made out of cookie wrappers. Not only do these products help protect the environment, they are easy to find at places like Target, Wal-mart and Home Depot.

Do you or your family already collect water bottles, cans and other items to take to local recycling centers? As you know, collect enough items and your financial compensation for bringing these items can turn into a pretty penny. You can also reap the same benefits with TerraCycle. They will offer cash for your collections of potato chip bags and juice boxes. So instead of tossing the contents of your lunch in the garbage after you have eaten think about saving some of your items to be upcycled.

Another company, Looptworks, also practices upcylcling, but with clothing. If you’re into fashion, you’ll love this site! They stop excess materials from being thrown out and use them to create 100% of their products. Shopping at Looptworks is a great way to not only help the environment, but to look good while doing it! Also by shopping online, you don’t have to waste gas or worry about bugging your parents to take you to the mall. Use inspiration from Looptworks to make your own items at home. We all have something in our closet that doesn’t fit anymore, so why not repurpose it? I have a purse made out of an old pair of jeans. I know along with old clothes, we also have a few earrings that don't have a mate or broken bracelets. Use embellishments from old jewelry or fabric to liven up an old look. Suddenly you’ll have something “new” to your wardrobe that no one else owns!

I also found some other great upcycling ideas online on sites like Eco Salon. With some of you in the process of applying for college, I know you are getting tons of mail with personal information. After you have shredded your materials, don’t dump them in the trash, instead save them for packing material when you ship things. You can tell your mom you’re saving her a special stash to use when she sends your college care packages. If you’re interested in learning more, run an internet search on upcycling and see what you find. It is important for your generation to step up in efforts to conserve the environment because pretty soon you will be the ones leading the way. Get started now and when it comes down to the Recycle, Reuse, Reduce phrase remember think outside the box, get creative and discover more ways to help the environment.

-- Martine Rouzan
Brownstone Team

Mother Nature’s New Installments

Is your body constantly changing? Have there been some recent unexpected developments? Are your aunts starting to make those embarrassing comments about your –dare I say!- your BOOBIES?! Or maybe that old baby fat is even disappearing and you just don’t know how to respond to these sudden changes. Here are a few pointers on getting acquainted with these new parts. First and foremost, know that you are YOUNG and these changes are probably not permanent. And even if they are here to the end, they’re most definitely nothing to be ashamed of!

1. Looking in the mirror and automatically accepting who you are becoming can sometimes be easier said than done. If you can’t accept this new body just yet, still look in the mirror and say I AM BEAUTIFUL! Don’t wait for others to compliment you, be your own cheerleader. After a while, you’ll start to believe these words of truth. :)

2. Secondly, go to that old box of pictures your parents stashed away in the attic and take a peek at those bad boys! Take a good look at how your mom or aunts went from being a cute kid AWW--> to a dorky girl OOO-->to a poised woman OO-LALA!!

9 times out of 10 your parents look nothing like they used to and filled out in all the right places!

3. Don’t be afraid to talk about it with your parents and if that’s too embarrassing, go to an older sibling, cousin, or any person you feel comfortable to talk to.

If you feel like you’re an “ugly duckling” now, think of this as your awkward growing period and that these changes are just coming little by little. The finished product hasn’t arrived yet and you will become that BEAUTIFUL SWAN we all know you to be!

4. Lastly, stay fit! Go outside! Join a club! Whether it’s dancing, soccer, basketball, hiking, or simply walking, GET ACTIVE! If you aren’t happy with who you are, do something about it, the healthy way.

Eat right, Act Right, Feel Right. These are the ways to happiness. What you put in your body, how you treat other bodies, and how you emotionally treat your body all affect your self-esteem regardless of any body change within you.

“If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude”-Maya Angelou

--Rebecca Matey

Brownstone Intern

Welcome our new intern Rebecca Matey to the blog! Rebecca is a sophomore majoring in International Relations at USC. She is also a member of USC's Saved By Grace Gospel Choir. In her free time, she enjoys playing soccer and tennis. We are excited to have her on board!