Being a Glamazon is about emanating confidence, beauty and style from the inside out. To feel just as great as you look, it’s important to surround yourself with positive energy.
Nothing makes me feel better than giving back. I love helping people because acts of service always uplift me, too (I actually joke that giving back makes me feel better than the people I’m helping!).
Given all the negativity in the news and media about our communities, I find that focusing on acts of service, unity and charity helps give me a balanced view of our world. There is good out there, you just have to look for it!
That’s why I’m all about AllState’s new “Give It Up For Good” campaign. The initiative encourages people to seek out the good in their communities. Inspired, I put a list together of charitable and fashion-forward events that happen right here in New York City. Check out a few!
1. Relay for Life
My sister and I have lost several family members to cancer so we jumped at the chance to participate in an overnight walk-a-thon to benefit the American Cancer Society.
2. African Health Now
(L-R) Lola Ogunnaike, Somi, Nikki Ogunnaike, Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo and Kimberly Wilson Marshall at African Health Now event
Fashion and charity are my two favorite things! A fashionable fete was held last week at the Tracy Reese boutique in downtown Manhattan, where 10% of all sales were donated to African Health Now, a six year-old nonprofit that promotes the health and healthcare of people of Pan-African descent in the U.S. and abroad.
Dresses on sale at the African Health Now event including the frock worn by Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention
3. Dress for Success
I also hosted an event called “Pretty Girls Rock Dresses” at the Tracy Reese boutique, along with COCOAChicBeauty, where handbags were donated to Dress for Success.
The gorgeous Tracy Reese boutique where the event was held.
The winner of the Pretty Girls Rock Dresses challenge for Best-Dressed
The Glamazons hosting the Pretty Girls Rock Dresses event wearing a Lanvin for H&M dress (Jessica) and an Express dress (Andrea)
The stunning decor at Tracy Reese’s boutique
4. DREAMNYC’s Summer6 Program
(L to R) Kelly Brown of Fatshion Insider, Geneva Thomas, Glamazon Jessica, Christina Brown of LoveBrownSugar, Claire Sulmers of Fashion Bomb Daily
I also had the privilege of speaking to high-schoolers about my career in fashion as a panelist for First Corinthian Baptist Church‘s DREAM program, a career mentorship program for teen girls ages 13-19 designed to expose them to careers in the Fashion & Entertainment industry.
5. Prom Dress Drive
Every year, my friend Jennifer hosts a prom dress drive held by Princess Chambers, Inc. that gifts formalwear to over 100 high school seniors in need.
New or lightly-worn gowns and shoes are donated.
Makeup artists are also on site to make these high-schoolers look and feel beautiful.
6. Go Pink!
For national breast cancer awareness month and in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Circle of Promise and the Sisters Network® Inc, BET Digital goes pink with a benefit walk.
7. Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play
Since I love children, I was happy to participate in Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Plan where I played along with kids in New York City to promote health and wellness. Michelle Obama and Lebron James participated in the international event in Washington, D.C.
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Are there people doing good in your community? I encourage you to seek it out and also, find your own way to give back. Check out more examples of good here and share your own with me using #giveitupforgood and @giveitupforgood on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Let’s give it up for charity. Let’s give it up for good.
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
Allstate believes that there is Good happening all around us, every single day, right in our communities. We believe that this Good is more powerful than Bad – it has the power to change the conversation, change communities, and ultimately, change lives, and we want to give it the recognition it deserves. We are committed to unearthing the stories about Good – stories of hope, strength and perseverance, stories of positivity and optimism, stories of kindness and generosity – stories that will inspire even more good.
Check out stories, pics, tweets and videos of the good happening in our communities at http://giveitupforgood.allstateonline.com/ and share the good you see using @giveitupforgood and #giveitupforgood on Twitter and Instagram. Let’s do more Good, together.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Allstate via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Allstate.
