Happy Fathers Day

President Obama gave the first BBQ on the White House Lawn in history... He invited several celebrity fathers, influential men, and local teen boys. Dwyane Wade, Alonzo Mourning, Etan Thomas, the President of Motorola, the President of Morehouse, and many other men were in attendance.

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Bringing the boys to the YARD...

The other night I had the pleasure of going to a chic spot named STANTON SOCIAL, Dinner was served downstairs while the bar lounge location upstairs was intimate yet full of life. I had previously heard about a cute drink called THE MILKSHAKE SHOT, So I eagerly ordered a few... The milkshake shots are a combination of milk shake and whisky, at a small price of two dollars the shots cant be beat...



Leah Janell: In My Shoes

On the Come up...

Natasha Day, fashionably known as Mz.Ktoure has been styling for a year now in the Washington Dc Metro area. Originally a marketing major, she has always had interest in fashion. Volunteering as a dresser/ runner, she finally stepped through the door of the fashion industry through interning for DC Fashion Week in the Fall 2007. This lead her to meet the designer Brian Vargas (of Verdette). Working for Brian as clothing line representative and assistant to designer, Natasha found her calling as a wardrobe stylist and pick up the nickname Mz.Ktoure,"The Unsung Socialite" from friends. Not able to afford styling courses at the time, she bought book on styling from previous fashion students and used them for guidance. After a 3 month "break" from styling because of family hardship, April 2009 Mz.Ktoure arose like a Phoenix from ashes to grasp on to her dream. Using faith as a the main tool in her stylist kit, Mz.Ktoure is hitting the fashion industry hard.
See Natasha's Portfolio at
MzKtoure.carbonmade.com
ModelMayhem.com/MzKtoure
The Stylist...

Her Work




Photos shot by Tony Veloz Photography
Contact Her


Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Anton Dickerson Selects Howard University...

The time that so many of us have been waiting for has finally arrived, our question of where High School Basketball Star Anton Dickerson will attend college is answered... On Wed. May 21st 2009 Anton Dickerson made a Verbal commitment to Howard University, the prestigious Historical Black College that is nestled in the heart of Washington D.C.

For my own personal reasons I am invested in the career of Anton Dickerson because he is my youngest brother, it prides me to see him follow in the path that I the eldest of six have laid for my siblings to follow. Anton is not only following my path but he is attending the Alma Mata of our sister Shyah Dickerson (The Publicist). When Shyah heard the news she was excited for her younger brother she stated "He is making the right choice, not just in sport but in education, Howard University Breeds Success...

Five Boro Sports interviewed Anton Dickerson first and this is what he had to say, “It wasn’t a hard decision to make,” he said. “Howard wanted to change the program around, get tough kids from New York. They want winners. Playing time is available, we can come in and just work hard.”

Anton will be joining one time reveal St. Raymond’s guard Tyreak Johnson in coach Gil Jackson’s recruiting class.

The Dickerson Family gives special thanks to assistant coach Elmer Anderson who believed in Antons career since day one, Anderson has never stopped supporting Anton. Elmer told Five Boro “Anton was getting a little antsy about the whole process, we were baffled why he wasn’t getting offers.” Eventually they came. And Wednesday afternoon, Dickerson finally ended the arduous process. It came as a relief, he said, not having to worry about his immediate future or taking calls from coaches who may or may not be interested in his services. He is secure. “I’m tickled to death,” Anderson said. “He’s a kid that worked hard for four years.”

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Not one but TWO...

After One last chance for our Girl Jasmina Anema, and thousands of people flooding bone-marrow donor drives, a pair of near-perfect matches have been found for the 6-year-old leukemia victim who has captivated the city. Two bone marrow matches have been found and according to the New York Daily News, if her cancer cells are once again undetectable and either of the donors pass a medical screening, prepping for her transplant will likely begin in a few weeks. Great news for Jasmina and her family!

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Finding My Character...

My acting Coach TRACY MOORE MARABLE gave me a homework assignment WRITE A CHARACTER BREAKDOWN FOR YOURSELF... This exercises allows you to distinguish who you are before you are able to portray someone else...

The Character Breakdown of Leah Janell…

If you could name one word to describe Leah Janell, what would that word be…
Sociable, Beautiful, Kind, Loving, loyal, Bitch, Honest, Hilarious, Generous, Sensitive, Supercajafragalistic, Enigma, Boring, Amazing, Courageous, Creative, Selfless, Extravagant, Focused, Swaggalicious, Influential, Fun, Inspiring, Dialectical, Dramatic, Classy, Crazy, Cool, Shot Caller, Fantastic, Silly, Ambitious, Magnificent, Phenomenal, Determined, Bossy, Daring, Over Achiever, Diva, Go Getter, Kind Hearted, Breathtaking, Uncensored, Persistent, Passionate, Blessed, favored, Benevolent, Enthusiastic, Sensitive, Outspoken, Bold…

I often have a difficult time speaking about myself, I mean lets be honest who does not think highly of themselves. I wanted a chance to be honest with myself and others, so I allowed my friends and family share this assignment with me. With one simple question I asked IN ONE WORD PLEASE DESCRIBE ME, and the words you find above are the answers I received. I believe that you are what you contribute to the world, to society, to your community, to someone else's life. Your are the mirror image of the impact that you have on someone else.
In so many ways I consider myself a role model, I am the assistant coach of a cheer team and everyday I am faced with different questions from these young girls for example “How old were you when you got your first tattoo and how old do you think I should be when I get mine.” I know that my response is something that these young girls will carry with them for years to come. I am also a risk taker, there came a point in my life where there was no longer a plan, no blue print to follow, I had to create my own path. I had finally graduated college and accomplished all that my parents had asked of me, now it was my time to find myself. So with a few dollars and a dream I moved to LA and though it was a trying experience I HAVE TRULY FOUND MYSELF.
I am a person of many faces, many traits, and many styles but over all I am ME. A unique individual who is optimistic, and prepared to take life by the horns and ride this thing out to the wheels come off…

Oh No He Didn't !!!

After my last post one of my readers wanted me to answer the question "WHY DO AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN GET UPSET WHEN THEY SEE A BLACK MAN WITH A WOMEN OF ANOTHER RACE? For me that was a hard question to answer because I honestly could careless about race. Relationships for me are about so much more attraction, connection, bond, personalities, race seems to be last on the totem pole. So I turned to my followers on Twitter (www.twitter.com/leahjanell FOLLOW ME SHAMELESS PLUG)to get their opinion. One young lady said "IT ONLY BOTHERS ME IF THE MALE HAS BRAIDS OR DREAD LOCKS, OR IF HE IS REALLY DARK SKINNED" Now when she said that I assumed it was because most individuals with dreads are more culturally aware IDK. But when I asked her why she replied because its not like a white woman would be able to twist their locks, or braid their hair, I found that hilarious... I think most African American women look at successful black men who date women of other nationalities as cop outs. But personally I have always wanted to date a man like my father dark skin, great smile, amazing personality, so when I see an interracial couple it makes me wonder why did he stray away from what his mom was like, why wouldn't he want to date a women that reminds him of his mother... Interracial dating can lead to so many questions but at the end of the day its to each is own, whatever makes you happy...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes

Cooking, Cleaning and Freaking...

I have come to realize that alot of African American men love hispanic women. For the past year I have wondered why I mean is it a long hair light skin thing and if so there are many black girls with those same features so it had to be more than that. So here is my theory the TYPICAL Hispanic female lives by the creed LET ME CATER TO YOU while most African American girls are striving to be Ms Independent. Now there is nothing wrong with either position but we as African American women have to learn that though we are independent and strong we don't have to always wear our strength on our sleeve. We are quick to tell a man we don't need them and where they can go and what we can do on our own. We are quick to say I'm not cooking tonight when a spanish girl understands that when he comes home he doesn't want to hear all the extra sh!t he wants the house cleaned, dinner on the table and some good loving when he's done eating... So I am taking some time to learn about the other side, to learn to submit more, instead of being all about me, me, me, Leah Janell is Cooking Cleaning and Freaking

Never Say Never

Whats the deal my people, I have been extremely busy lately you know twittering my life away LOL... But no really on a serious note lately I have been faced with some challenging situations. You know how when your were growing up and you would say " WHAT! Not me, I would NEVER do that!!! Then as you grow up you see yourself doing just the things that you said you never would do. I remember being 10 years old at my uncles house and he left a budweiser on the table my cousin and I both took a swig, and to our surprise what happened to be my uncles favorite thirst quencher, tasted like the nastiest thing on earth to us. After that experience I said I will NEVER EVER drink alcohol. Low and behold my freshmen year of college changed all of that... But now I want to know what are some of the things that you all may have said NEVER to and then eventually WILLINGLY experienced. Have you ever went back to a guy after he put his hands on you. I mean after seeing RIRI we all said I would NEVER go back to him if I were her. Have you ever dated a married man? Did you pick up a smoking habit. Come on guys whats that one thing that you said you would never do BUT LATER YOU DID IT...

Leah Janell: In My Shoes