Brownstone Women's Spotlight: A Profile of Liana Henry

Liana Henry is a woman with a vision who sees the world as her oyster. A graduate of Hampton University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Henry currently works for the U.S. General Services Administration providing legal advice. Recently, I spoke with her and was amazed by how similar our interests in community development are. It was inspiring to talk with someone focused on being involved in her community. She continues upon a legacy of service that she learned from her parents.

Amelia Jones (AJ): As a young girl, who inspired you?

Liana Henry (LH): My father, who worked for the Federal Government but also became a lawyer. I would often watch him working out of his home office while I was growing up and remember how he always took new cases, interested in helping people. Now he has retired from Federal service but continues to take small cases to help people secure their rights.

AJ: Did you always know that you wanted to be a lawyer, what other occupations did you consider?

LH: Pursuing law was always in the back of my mind. I looked up to my father who took the practice of law very seriously, even though it was his part-time job. While in high school I took an interest in debate team and also got the chance to take college pre-law classes through a summer program because I was curious and wanted to understand the law. Later I considered being a journalist but ultimately, I decided on law.

AJ: What was your major in college, did you choose this with law in mind?

LH: Since most schools did not offer a pre-law curriculum, I had to find a major that would give me the skills and background to perform well in law school. I decided to major in Mass Media Arts, Broadcast Journalism. I was able to improve my communications skills while taking a broad array of classes required for my major. I got the chance to be creative, doing projects for radio and television. It was a lot of fun and good preparation for the future.

AJ: Talk about your college experience, what ways do you believe you changed during these years?

College was a wonderful experience. I think you learn who you are when you are in college. You have to make decisions for yourself and begin to learn independence. I got to try new things in college. Professors got me excited about political and social issues. I was very active and outspoken about community issues and got involved in service activities. During college, I learned just what I am capable of and I surprised myself. I spoke publicly in front of more than 1,000 people. I worked at the radio station as an On-Air Announcer for jazz, blues, and R&B radio shows. I even helped start a women’s media organization and served as the host of our television program covering campus life. College was an adventure for me and I grew as a result. I believe I left college with greater confidence.

AJ: What inspired you to go into public service?

LH: As a child I volunteered a lot! I tutored for years, took meals to the elderly and disabled, helped at a community center, and read books to kindergarten children. Now I work for the Federal government and I love the fact that my job helps the people of our country.

AJ: What black women inspire you today?

LH: I am inspired by Oprah because she hasn’t let barriers stand in her way. Women who have a vision inspire me, and you see that with Oprah. She is rooted in what is important; she gives, she has compassion, she cares. I also admire Michelle Obama, because of all the work she does to give back. You can tell that she has a selfless heart.

AJ: What advice do you have for our Brownstone readers?

LH: Do something, and get involved in giving back now because these are the activities that will teach you about yourself, as well as, your community. Trying something new may help you to decide what you want to do eventually.

--Amelia Jones

Brownstone Intern

HIStory: Learn What He Thinks About Prom

He's baaaaaacckkk! Guest blogger, Derrick Harris, is here to answer all your questions about how guys feel about prom. Check out his advice to some of the top questions asked by our readers.

1. Is it ok to ask a guy to prom? Would he say no out of fear of being made fun of?

It is ok to ask a guy to prom. Most guys like the feeling of being looked upon as “prom material." Guys would rather know that you would like them to ask you to prom. Sometimes guys just need a little guidance. I would say drop hints before you ask. The forward and direct approach is great, but sometimes a man likes to be a man and hunt!

2. Do guys still expect a hook up just because it's prom night?

There is no secret trouble seems to brew on prom night. Guys expect to get into trouble just like girls. For some reason there is the infamous hook-up expectation for this glamorous evening. Hook-ups can be as intermediate as kissing to more collegiate activities. So who is in control? You are. Be upfront with your date. Vocally express to him your views on prom and all it entails. Do not feel obligated to do anything that you do not want to do!

3. Do you really mind if we dance with another guy?

Most guys don’t mind but expect him to dance with other girls. I’d say the majority of the dancing should be with your date. If you know your date would be uncomfortable then don’t do it. You can dance with other guys at the after party.

4. What should I do if my date doesn't have have money to pay for prom?

Fundraise! Ask relatives to help you pay. Another good technique is to write a letter to the principal or prom advisor and explain your situation. Between your parents and the advisor a payment plan can typically be worked out.

5. Is it the guy's or girl's responsibility to pay for prom?

Both parties should pay equally if they are in the same grade. The guy pays for the corsage!

6. My boyfriend doesn't want to go to prom what should I do?

Express to him how much you would like him to be your date to the prom with you. If he is so stubborn that he doesn’t want to go with you then like Jay-Z says, “It’s on to the next one.”

--Derrick Harris

Guest Blogger

Museums: Education & Entertainment at its Best

It’s the weekend and you have nothing to do. Your mom says, “Go read a book! Do something educational for once!” Well I mean, that may not always sound so appealing, but sometimes IT’S NOT THAT BAD! Instead of wasting the day on Facebook, playing Farmville, or watching the same reruns of Top Model, why not go to a museum? Yeah, that may sound boring, but there is a plethora of art and culture to be explored! Instead of reading through the LONG, DRAWN OUT pages of a book, why not go somewhere you’re interested in and still (secretly) learn at the same time!? As a mentor in the Rites of Sisterhood mentorship program for high school girls around Los Angeles, my goal is to try to show girls that learning doesn’t have to be so boring, especially when you’re with your friends! Knowing that, I wanted to show you guys a bunch of interesting exhibits and museums around LA. I decided to take them along with me for some of them. Here’s a quick journey of my tour of the beauty of Los Angeles Museums & Exhibits.

One of the best exhibits we went to was Tavis Smiley’s America I Am exhibit, which was held at the California Science Center. It was moving to see the turmoil endured by African and African Americans and how we have been beyond triumphant in our success today. There were many artifacts and replicas that made you feel connected to the experiences of our ancestors. Learning about this was very emotional for some of the girls but was a much needed learning experience.

Another place visited was the California African American Museum. Currently they are having their Harlem of the West: Jazz, Beebop, & Beatnik exhibit. This exhibit focuses on the San Francisco Fillmore District of the 1940's, 50's, and 60's. If you were anybody in that time, you were known to perform at the Fillmore. Many artists that we saw exhibited were Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, as well as Ella Fitzgerald. Seeing the art through their music was wonderful because you saw pure happiness amidst a country that was not very accepting of the African American race.

We also went to the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising for their Hollywood 2010: The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibit. This included tons of costumes from over 20 of the most popular films ranging from Where the Wild Things Are to Watchmen and even Star Trek. The costumes were life-sized so it was really cool to see how huge the monsters from Where the Wild Things Are. To be honest it kind of freaked me out! After this we went to the FIDM Scholarship Store where students create clothing and sell them for super cheap! I managed to cop a necklace, ring, and two bathing suit bottoms! After all I bought, I only spent $20! OH HAPPY DAY!

Although these are just a few stops we made in the Los Angeles area there are many more museums and exhibits to view. The beauty of exhibits are its freshness! Even though you may go to a museum one month, the next month may feature something completely new! Most of the exhibits we saw this weekend will be ending in early May, so hurry up to see them or just catch the next ones! Trust me going to a museum may not sound fun but there is always something to see that is of your interest! We managed to see a variety of exhibits that dealt with fashion, to music, and African Americans culture! Just say hello to your little friend Google and I guarantee you you’ll find something of your interest! Here are a few more museums in Los Angeles:

- Museum of Contemporary Art
* Website: http://www.moca.org/
* Cost: $5 for students! $10 General Admission
* Exhibits: Contemporary Art

- The Getty
* Website: http://www.getty.edu/museum/
* Cost: FREE!
* Exhibits: various art exhibits

- Griffith Observatory
* Website: http://www.griffithobservatory.org/
* Cost: FREE!
* Things to do: Hike, star-gazing, picnics (Griffith park)!

- The Grammy Museum
* Website: http://www.grammymuseum.org/
* Cost: $10.95- Youth
* Exhibits: Music and the Industry

-- Rebecca Matey
Brownstone Intern

Get the Party Started!

Everybody knows that prom is more than finding the perfect dress and getting all glamed up. It's about livin' it up and enjoying an unforgettable night with your high school friends. So, if after the prom comes the hotel lobby, then what comes before? The "Champagne Party!"

This year, don't wait for the prom to get the party started! When I was a teenager, champagne parties were the big thing to either host or attend before prom. For those of you who aren't familiar with this tradition, a champagne party is a party in honor of a girl or boy going to prom. You eat cake, finger foods, etc and toast the prom goers. It gives your friends and family a chance to see you off to prom before you leave for the night.


Here is a way to remix this late 1990’s/early 2000’s tradition:

1. Where my girls at? - Why not co-host a champagne party with a group of your best friends? I would suggest 2 to 3 other girls. You don’t want too many people in one place. Pick one person to host it at their house.

2. Make it a family affair! – Invite your family, so that they can see you off to the prom.

3. Rip the Runway: Home Edition! – Have your friends get ready at your house. While you’re getting dressed have your guests and dates wait in the living room. When it’s time to unveil the final product, play some music (Kanye’s “Flashing Lights” – my favorite catwalk song) to get you amped as you make your grand entrance. If you really want to have a real runway vibe have your mom or dad introduce each girl as they come and show off their dress.




4. Flashing Lights – Speaking of flashing lights, remind everyone to bring their cameras and video cameras (I'm sure parents have one of these someone...lol). You’ll want to capture every moment (from getting your make-up done to seeing your date for the first time) Oh and don't forget to smile with your eyes ;) Make mama Tyra proud!

5. Food for Fun - Offer your guests hors d'oeuvres while they wait. Keep it light! You don't want to get full before you head off to dinner. Finger foods such as buffalo wings or chips & salsa are good ideas. You can even have desserts like cupcakes or cookies. And why not decorate your desserts according to your prom theme? That would really bring the evening together.

6. Drink up! – Apple cider that is! It may be called a “Champagne Party,” but it’s really apple cider or sparkling punch (sprite and punch). Remember what happened to Donna Martin (90210) at her champagne party?…lol. Don’t let that happen to you! Now you can get champagne glasses for your apple cider. Or you can have your parents act as bartenders and serve NONalcoholic drinks to make the evening have that grown and sophisticated feel since you'll be all dressed up. Have fun and make a toast before your group goes out for the night.

7. Superstar Status -Buy a red carpet runner and place it down your driveway. You’ll feel like a star when you get into your car or limo.

Remember to plan out all the details with your friends and parents ahead of time. Keep it simple and fun!

**If you decide to have a champagne party, take pictures and send it to us at brownstonemag@gmail.com. We'll feature you on the blog :)

--Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team

Prom 101: How to Show Up and Show Out

Prom is one of the last major events before the end of the school year, and it’s your chance to go out with a bang. If you’re not a graduating senior, there’s always next year to make that big impression, but let me tell you from personal experience: nothing is worse than walking into prom and seeing not one, but two other girls wearing YOUR dress. That’s why the number one dress rule is, find something you love and make the entire look your own. This can be done with accessories, shoes, your purse, etc. Create a look that makes you feel like the belle of the ball. (For example: Yes, two other girls were wearing my dress. But I had the perfect clip in my hair that tied together the dress, the shoes, AND the bag. In other words, I had an entire look from head to toe, so that although I wasn’t in an original dress, I pulled it off in my own way.)

YOU Know What’s Best, Not the Sales Representative:

Although my senior prom was a few years ago, I couldn’t help but get excited when I went looking again to see what was out there for Prom 2010. One sales lady did get overly excited and suggest to me and my friend dresses that we wouldn’t be caught dead in, but I could understand her enthusiasm. That’s another good thing to be aware of: sales representatives have a priority to SELL. Whether or not you are completely in love with the dress may not be their main concern and their enthusiasm for the product can seem so overwhelming that you just want them to shut up and so you agree to get the dress. PLEASE DON’T LET ANYONE PRESSURE YOU INTO BUYING A DRESS YOU DO NOT ABSOLUTELY LOVE. You’re the one taking the pictures and you have to be comfortable in the dress all night.

Something for Everyone:
This season, designers really let their creativity flow freely, and there is no reason why anybody should be looking for the perfect black dress. (Black is perfectly OK too, but don’t feel limited or forced to default to a simple black dress.) It’s spring and the colors are too beautiful to resist. Most of what I found came in deep, rich jewel tones of emerald, purple, magenta, and various blues, but there were even dresses in soft pastels. Bright, almost highlighter shades of pink, orange, and yellow are out there as well. And not all dresses are limited to one color; some feature a dual-tone of one color or are printed with floral as well. Something to notice besides color is the attention to detail. After doing my research online before I went to the mall (a good idea), I found that this season’s theme is Grecian Goddess. Dresses are very flowy and can have draping either toward the bottom or the bust area. A lot of the dresses are long as compared to previous years’ obsession with how short a dress can be before it reveals too much. There’s a (much-needed) return to the classic side of beauty. Of course, there are short dresses as well because everyone likes something different, but there are good options for something subtler as well. Whether long or short, each dress has a unique look to it. Like I said, details are in this year and diamond embellishments are popular. The bodice is a common place to find a rhinestone studded belt or even an elegant bow. Another area of detail is the bust area strapless dresses, or even in the straps themselves, as one-strap options have made their way back into the spotlight.
Whichever dress you do end up choosing, I’m sure you will be an individual, as there are so many options to choose from. (Sadly, This isn’t something I can say of the Prom 2008 selections). And for those of you who don’t want the overly feminized options, don’t worry because simple isn’t hard to find either. The emphasis on classic beauty means that dresses aren’t following every trend all at the same time. The simple strapless or halter in your favorite color is always a safe bet.

Where to Look:
When I went shopping with my friend, we went into a lot of stores to get a general feel for what each store was offering. One girl we ran into in Fox Hills Mall said that she was indeed "looking for that perfect prom dress – not something that a Disney princess would wear, but something that I can feel pretty in without having to show my whole body OR be too conservative." She happened to be trying on a silhouette-emphasizing, long, black, gold, and cream dress that did everything she described. It didn’t SHOW all of her, but it did hug her curves in an appropriate way. It was classy – not too revealing, but not something her mom could wear. While in Fox Hills Mall (Los Angeles), I visited Macy's, Forever 21, and Michelle D. Here are some pictures of me and my friend!

$42.80 (Forever 21)

$200

$120

$39.80 (Forever 21)

Take Home Message:
So in summary, the first thing you should do is a little bit of online shopping before you go to the mall just to get a feel for what you think you might like. And when you do get there, don’t be afraid to say NO to what you don’t like. Be open to trying on new colors and styles because you’ll have plenty of options, but don’t be afraid to be assertive with the overly aggressive sales reps. Find a style and fit that you feel comfortable in and that you can see yourself in for the whole night, not just the 10 minutes of picture taking before you leave. And in terms of price, some feel that a prom dress is an investment in one of the happiest memories of high school. At the same time, it is only one night. Most parents don’t want to pay an arm and a leg, but a good compromise to get the dress that you’ve always wanted that may be more expensive, is to pay for a little bit yourself. Or offer to buy the shoes, purse, or accessories. Simply stated, confidence is the best accessory. From my own prom experience, two other girls had my dress, but I ‘knew’ (or felt) that I wore it the best. So, for Prom 2010, do you and dance the night away. You only get 1!

--Brittany Allen
Brownstone Intern

All Eyes On Me: Prom 2010

Finally! It’s time to wrap up that thing called high school. The days of busy work and tardy slips are slowly coming to an end and before you know it, you and all your friends will turn the page to a new chapter in life. If you plan on going out with a bang…prom is the perfect way to do so. The key to a perfect prom night is looking good (and having fun of course). But in all honesty, the hype and attention that surrounds prom actually makes it worth putting some time and effort into the way you look. Now is the time to start looking for that perfect dress and cute pair of shoes cuz when you walk into that room, all eyes are on you…

Dress, shoes, purse and accessories are a given…but what will really set it off is your makeup. Even the clothes and accessories shown above wouldn't be the same without the makeup, especially when it comes to the eyes. You can spend $50 to get your makeup done at the MAC counter (like everybody else)…or you can make the most out of the budget your mom gave you. Try buying a few makeup products and doing your makeup yourself. With a few techniques and a practice run, you can look good prom night and any other night you wanna look great.

Start with a complete makeup brush set. First we have a multi purpose brush for general makeup, great for eye shadows and blending colors. Next is an upper brow brush to really highlight your eyes, and an eye brow brush to fill in and define the eyes. Lastly we have a blot brush to cover up those skin imperfections and a blush brush to lift and define your cheekbones.

For your practice run, you should take a before and after of your eyes. This way you can track your progress and see how your makeup will photograph. Here’s my before...see how I got my after.

Here are a few tips and tricks from my friend Ms. Janae Jacobs

1) Apply a gold or shimmery eye shadow in the inside corner of the eye to about 1/4 inch across the top

2) Next, choose your base color. Hint: your base color is the main color of your outfit. Apply base in the middle of your bottom eyelid and use your general makeup brush (shown above) to blend the line between the shimmer and base.

3) Now the accent color of your choice will go from the middle to outer end of your eye, again, using your brush to blend the line between your base and accent. Tip: For best look make light swift stokes to apply shadow to help blend and make even.

4) Find a natural color to apply to the outer top lid to maximize the intensity of your colors.

5) Next, apply a fine layer of black eyeliner to the bottom lid and the inner half of your top lid. Then, finish lining the outer half of the top lid with another complementary color to add more pop. Throw on that mascara and check yourself out! Tip: While lining your top lid, remember to work inwards (from corner to middle/outer to middle) and use a finger to pull the lid to make it extra smooth while applying.

See how making up your face and having fun with your eyes can really bring your outfit to life?!?! So don’t be afraid of color, because it could be the very thing that keeps all eyes on you. It’s the last thing you’re probably thinking of, but hey it’ll be one of the first things everyone else notices. So bring it!

Prom 2010, let’s go!

Kyle Holland
Brownstone Team

Brownstone 2.0 - New Phones on the Block

Most teens would agree that their cell phone is the #1 gadget that they can’t live without. There isn’t an hour that goes by that you probably aren’t glancing over to see if you have a message or sending a text. But what really makes you love your phone? Is it the design, texting capabilities, video camera, apps? When you think about it, most of the hottest phones on the market like the iPhone and Blackberry were designed for adults, business professionals. Although teens may be avid users, some of the main features really aren’t teen friendly. I mean do you really need apps like Google Voice or the ability to sync your Microsoft Outlook with your regular hotmail account? Probably not, unless you have a 9 to 5 job that I don’t know about.

Well it looks like Microsoft has your back! This week, Microsoft announced a new line of smart phones, the Kin One and Kin Two, especially designed with YOU in mind. They understand that teens aren’t concerned about managing multiple email accounts/phone numbers. It’s about staying social and connected with your friends.

The Kin One and Kin Two allow users to stay in sync with sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. These phones have a lot of cool features that you’ll love! For example, you can customize the start menu with a montage of photographs of your friends with notes about what they are doing rather than a more traditional menu like the Blackberry or iPhone display. Other features include touch screens and the Zune music player, which is great for listening to your favorite artists. The phones also include high-powered cameras for capturing photographs and video, so you can take real time pictures of your favorite moments and share them with your friends or post on your FB page. Unlike any phone out right now, the Kin phones have an unique software called Spot that allows users to drag photos, messages, videos, maps and other content, which can then be sent instantly to a friend.

The only thing that may not be appealing is the look at the phone. The Kin One is square and fits easily in the palm of a hand. A full keyboard slides down at the bottom of the phone. The Kin Two has the more familiar rectangle shape (much like the sidekick), an eight-megapixel camera (up from five megapixels on the One) and can take high-definition videos.

So what do you think? Are you feeling the Kin phones?

--Tymika Morrison
Brownstone Team