Informational Interviews!

Informational interviews can deepen your passion or prevent you from making a huge mistake, either way - find someone you admire and pick their brain, it'll be worth it!

What is an informational interview?! Watch this 30 second video, it'll tell you all you need to know in a nut shell...

Fashionista, Event Planner, Make-up Artist, Black Bride Enthusiast, Blogger!

Ayana Lateef - the bold and the beautiful!

If you look at Ayana's interests, you may be a bit confused, but no need to be. She is proud of the fact that her ideas are scatter brained and that she is passionate about more things that you can count on one hand! But that's okay, because that's the precise reason why FAB loves her!

Ayana is originally from Maryland, right outside of DC. She moved to New York 3 years ago to pursue her dreams (all 20 of them!) and that's just what's she doing! She has a BS in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and well as an AAS in Advertising and Marketing from FIT. Her artistic nature is evident in that fact she worked as a makeup artist for 3 years with Estee Lauder. And for the past year, she has worked with the notable and extraordinary designer, Zac Posen, as the Jr. Account Executive. Ayana has a few years of experience under her belt and some huge names on her resume that will get her foot in the door to other opportunities, but it's her zeal for success that will make her the STAR she is destined to be!

Ayana chats with FAB!

1.) What makes you happy?
I love fashion, meeting new people, the arts and planning fabulous parties.

2.) You recently started a blog focusing on "black brides", what inspired you to do this?
I've always had an interest in wedding and event planning. Recently I was helping out a friend with a few wedding ideas and I noticed a lack of resources for African American women. I also noticed that we are absent from many of the bridal magazines and books. Soon after Fabulous Black Bride was created. I want black women to know that our special days are just as important and we can have fabulous weddings too.

3.) As your blog continues to grow, what can readers expect to see from you and your blossoming blog?
Readers can expect to see profiles on makeup artist, hairstylist, designers, wedding planners, and other industry professionals throughout the country. In the upcoming weeks I will be attending a few bridal trade shows and reporting on them for brides that are not able to make it.
Many of my readers are brides to be, so I would like to feature a few of their wedding photos and report on their fabulous wedding experiences.

4.) You are the perfect definition of a FAB member - you are a young professional with a multitude of interests trying to make it ALL happen! You don't sit by the sidelines, you jump right in! What are you most passionate about these days and what are you working toward achieving?
There are so many things that I want to do. I really want my blog to grow and expand my daily readers. That's my baby right now and I'm trying to nurture it and watch it grow. I also love fashion, that's my full time career. I love the excitement of the fashion industry. There's always something new; new ideas, new trends, and new designers. I also love planning weddings and events. My ultimate goal is to somehow mesh all of my passions into one business idea. To help me with me with my ideas I've been doing a lot of networking, talking to a few mentors, and going to a lot of informational interviews.

5.) How do you see FAB being a catalyst in helping you to connect the dots and achieve success in your areas of interest?
I love the idea of FAB. I know so many people with great ideas and experiences that could help each other out. I know I am not the only person out there with a multitude of interests and I'm happy that FAB is a meeting place that will allow everyone to expand their ideas. I will use FAB to connect with people that can help me with my ideas and I hope that I will be able to help out and encourage someone else.

6.) Describe yourself in 3 words.
Creative, Passionate, Fabulous

***Check out Ayana's blog at www.fabulousblackbride.blogspot.com***

You've just heard from the FABULOUS Ayana, stayed tuned, you will hear more from this diva turned entrepreneur. Trust me!

WHAT IS FAB?

FAB: Fashion, Arts, Beauty

FAB is a career and personal resource for college students, beginner and seasoned professionals to interlock in ideas, inspiration and in person. The organization serves as a platform to meet professionals in an array of industries, with the goal of breaking free from meeting people in your own respective industry. What if you work in beauty, however desire to meet someone in entertainment?! Congratulations, FAB is the answer to your prayers! Many of us have side interests but never have an opportunity to explore our goals because we aren't sure who we should speak with or don't have the resources available or don't have a mentor that supports us.

FAB Network is whatever you want it to be...a resource for networking, volunteering, inspiration, information...utilize the site for your own purposes, but whatever you do - stay FAB!

Mentoring!

The definition of MENTORING (in my opinion):

Mentoring is the conscious effort of an individual to build a relationship with another person with the intent of providing various levels of advice, support and leadership that will enable the mentee to become a better person in all facets of his/her life.

What does that definition mean? There are different ways to become a mentor and/or mentee - sometimes we specifically seek and desire a mentor and other times a natural connection is apparent and the relationship develops into a mentor/mentee situation. Either way, having a mentor is just as important as networking or volunteering! In my experiences, the 3 keys to success are NETWORKING, VOLUNTEERING, and MENTORING (having and being a mentor)!

Do you just need 1 mentor? It is a good idea to have various types of mentors, to support us in our personal and professional lives. If you're lucky, you'll find one person that can mentor you in both arenas.

How do you find a mentor? Career Mentors: Seek out someone that is well established in his/her profession and research them, find out their success story. Find someone that has reached the level of success that you aspire to achieve and/or has experience in your area of interest. Try to make a connection, whether it be in person or over the computer - don't be intimated! Once you find your STAR SUSPECT, contact the person! Advice: be personable, excited and well-versed on who you are speaking with. Point to remember, people love to talk about themselves, so when you finally get your chance to speak with your potential mentor, have an attitude like what can I do for you, not what you can do for me! Humility will take you far! After your initial meeting, continue the contact by sending a thank you note and further along the relationship by continuing to reach out without being overbearing. Only after you feel comfortable enough to ask, do you mention the magic question...WILL YOU BE MY MENTOR?

I have a mentor, now what?! Once you have successfully secured a mentor (by the way, congratulations!), don't start to slack off. Continue to work hard and show your mentor that you are worth the effort and they should take pride in the fact that you are their mentee. It is YOUR duty to ensure that your mentor doesn't forget about you. So how do you make sure this doesn't happen?! Be sure to send cards, emails, offer to take him/her out for dinner or drinks, blah blah blah...you get the point. Basically, you have to work twice as hard to prove you're worthy (this is worst case scenario). If you have a mentor/friend relationship, then the constant contact will be more casual and natural but either way, don't let a good mentor slip through your hands because of laziness!

What do you need a mentor for? Mentors provide advice, gives you real life stories that can be applicable to your life or aspirations, a listening ear, support, the willingness to let you name drop (aghh the power of name dropping!) - basically you have to decide what you want from your mentor and go after it!

Get a mentor, Have a mentor, Be a mentor!

Sowmya Krishnamurthy: In love with the Music Industry and Destined to be in CHARGE!

The real story behind Sowmya Krishnamurthy!

Sowmya and I have been friends since 2005. We met through a mutual friend while both of us were living in NYC as Bad Boy interns in two seperate offices, so we actually never had the opportunity to meet (until our friend introduced us). Over the years, our friendship has flourished and we've been able to share in each other's hard times and successes, cause no one understands unless you've been there - and trust me, we've been there and kind of still there! Whether it's moving to NYC with only two suitcases fresh out of college, having not so favorable roommates (that we'd both like to forget), understanding how everything in the city is a project, like washing clothes or going to the grocery store or deciding to buy a TV with no way to get home so you and your friend carry it up the street, or when something breaks and you have to fix it yourself. Sowmya and I often laugh and cry at our triumphs, but as Sowmya likes to say, "this middle class thing was fun for a while, but I'm over it." With that thought in mind, we both share the desire to overcome our obstacles with the intent of looking back one day and being proud - that despite all, we perservered! We did it! And that's all that matters...

PROFILE:

Age: 24
Employer: ICED MEDIA (http://www.icedmedia.com/)
Title: Senior Project Manager
Employer Details: ICED Media is an online marketing, research, and publicity company working with clients in the areas of music, film, television, and traditional corporate.
Occupation Details: Recently worked with: The Game, Nelly, Lil Wayne, Carnival Cruise Lines, and CNN.
Previous Experience: Prior to ICED, Sowmya was in the William Morris Agency's Agent Trainee program in NYC. Originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, she is a graduate of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan ('06).

10 Questions with Sowmya:

1.) Being from Michigan is completely different from living in Manhattan. When did you decide to move to NYC and more importantly, why?
I always knew I would work in the entertainment industry, especially in the music industry. I think I was 13 or 14 when I decided to move to NYC. NYC is the mecca of urban music and I knew I had to be where the action was.

2.) Some people move here with a job and others take the more independent route and decide to begin their hustle when they are actually New Yorkers. Which route did you take and are you glad you made your decision?
As cliche as it sounds, I moved to NYC with little more than two suitcases. I had no job and spent about a month interviewing. From Craigslist to Monster to calling on every little favor I could think of, I job hunted and interviewed literally everywhere. To pay the bills, I had took random temp jobs. Eventually after 4 rounds of interviews, I was accepted into the prestigious William Morris Agency Trainee program.

3.) Why the entertainment industry, what intrigues you the most?
Apart from the obvious love of music, growing up, the music industry in particular always represented to me, a way for young, minorities to empower themselves and create their own destinies. From Puffy at Bad Boy to Kevin Liles at Def Jam, I grew up admiring these young people who were able to be successful on their own terms. That entrepreneurial spirit always attracted me to this industry.

4.) There are a lot of negative stereotypes that surround the music business. Because the entertainment industry is predominantly dominated by men, many say it is harder for women to "break into the industry" based on their experience or intellect; instead, it becomes a question of what can you do for me? Do you find this stereotype to be true?
Although women have made great strides in this industry (in fact one of ICED Media's founders is a woman), stereotypes do persist. As a woman, you have to work twice as hard as your male counterparts to obtain the same level of respect. You are held to different standards of morality and decorum; in other words, you can't do what the boys do.

5.) If so, how do you handle these uncomfortable situations without ruining your career or your reputation?
I think at the end of the day you have to stay true to yourself, regardless of gender, race, etc. "To thine ownself be true". You have to be cognizant of the double standards of the industry but you can't let them control you. Do you.

6.) What has been the most unpleasant situation so far?

Haha. Well without getting into sordid details, probably the most unpleasant experience has been assuming people in respectable positions are just that, respectable. There are people in all levels with ulterior motives. Just because the industry has moved into more corporate environments does not mean that old habits and practices have died.

7.) As a young professional, you have been able to successfully balance the male dominating presence of the industry while also moving up the latter, what advice do you give other young ladies entering into the circus of entertainment?

Like I mentioned before, you have to stay true to yourself. Know BEFORE you enter the industry, what your morals and ethics are. Your mom isn't here and there's no one to hold your hand. If you're lost and looking for guidance, this is not the place to find it. If you are confident in yourself and keep your priorities straight, 90% of the bullshit doesn't affect you.

8.) What is your average day like (who do you interact with on a daily basis and what type of hours do you work)?

I start my day around 11am and work until 8pm. On the marketing side I deal with clients including record labels, artist managers, film studio executives, etc. On the publicity side, I work closely with online writers and bloggers; pitching them content and press opportunities. Luckily because my clients are varied, no two days are alike. One day I might be in front of the computer for the majority of the day, the next I'll have artist meet-and-greets and off-site meetings. I have a short attention span and get bored super easily, so I love having a diverse client roster to work with.
Because my job is based in relationships, after work I attend industry parties and events at least 2-3 times a week. It's important to physically "press flesh" with the people I do business with. The great part about living in NYC and working in entertainment is that there's always something fun to go to!

9.) When is the last time you cried?

Oh boy, probably about a month ago. I can't even remember what triggered it.

10.) On a personal note, are you living a "Sex and the City" lifestyle? Give us the juice on what goes on with a pretty, single and professional young lady living in NYC.

Man that show ruined it for everyone didn't it? Seriously, NYC dating is a very peculiar beast. People are very focused on themselves (their careers, their lives) and therefore aren't looking for a relationship. I'm a busy girl but totally open to meeting a good guy. So to all of you guys out there, feel free to drop a line! Ha!


Sowmya and The Game at a BET 106&Park taping














Sowmya and Nelly during a press day

"American Buffalo" AFTER PARTY!!!

Broadway Debut over, time to CELEBRATE! After Party held at the largest rooftop bar in NYC, 235th!

Party, Network, Meet and Greet, Have Fun!

Check out the pics!

J.Styles

J.Styles, Cedric the Entertainer, Broadway Producer and guest

Cedric freestyling on the mic, hilarious!

Outside view on the rooftop of 235th!

Check out the scenery!

Broadway Exec and J.Styles chat!

J.Styles and Real Estate broker pose for the camera!

Cedric the Entertainer freestyling on the mic, hilarious!

Check out the crowd...








Broadway Executive and J.Styles

Cedric the Entertainer, Broadway Exec and J.Styles

Broadway and nonprofit enthusiasts

Inside the venue!

235th - beautiful inside and out!








Lounge area!

Opening of Broadway Play "American Buffalo"

First scoop on Broadway Debut...

The OPENING of the Broadway Play "American Buffalo" took place last night at the Belasco Theatre on W. 44th Street in NYC. The turnout was amazing, everyone in theatre attended! Spike Lee, J. Anthony (comedian), and Cedric the Entertainer's Manager were a few faces I recognized in the crowd. Theatre gurus were the lare majority. The headliners of the play were Cedric the Entertainer, John Leguizamo, and Haley Joel Osment. Who else do you need?! Cedric the Entertainer made his Broadway debut and in my opinion, stole the show!

Quick preview:
The set of the play takes place in a Chicago pawnshop, where the trio of small-town crooks run a coin scam in hopes of hitting the jackpot. When money is low, friendships are tested. The play has a sort of dark humor mixed with a seriousness that is funny, sad and harsh all in the same breath. It's worth going to see, even if it's just to see Cedric the Entertainer for the 1st time on Broadway.

Should you go check it out? Absolutely!

Alliance of NYS Arts Organizations Fall 2008 Gala

NYS ARTS GALA EXTRAVAGANZA!

NYS Gala attendees - Manhattan Penthouse














Broadway Actor and FAB Founder, J. Styles














J. Styles, Duke Ellington's Granddaughter and Broadway Choreographer, Mercedes Ellington (sitting), and Voice Over Queen

What an event! The gala was held at the Manhattan Penthouse on 5th Avenue on November 17, 2008. The Who's Who of the Arts community attended the event to honor and celebrate the successes of the organizations that NYS Arts supports, as well as the donors and patrons that have contributed to the various foundations. There was also an auction to help raise money, more money and more money! It was truly an honor to be in the presence of well-established professionals who are at the top of their game. The fabulous honorees were Phoebe Jacobs, Executive Vice President of the Louis Armstrong Foundation, Kristin Swain, President of Corning Incorporated Foundation, Director of Corporate Contributions and Memberships, Executive Director of the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, and Barbara Cook, beloved singer of many Broadway plays.

Unfamiliar with NYS Arts? Read on.
NYS Arts has a 33 year history as New York State's premiere service association for community based arts and cultural organizations. The organization provides professional training for arts leaders, technical assistance for arts organizations and advocacy leadership to increase public funding and advance public policy in the arts.

Join NYS Arts at http://www.nysarts.typepad.com/

Question: What Inspires You?

ANSWER ME THIS 1 QUESTION!!! SERIOUSLY, WHAT INSPIRES YOU? DO YOU KNOW?!

MAKE A COMMENT!!!

What inspires us, drives us. What drives us, motivates us. What motivates us, sustains us. What sustains us, helps us. What helps us, encourages us. What encourages us, inspires us. Inspiration comes full circle, always!

My inspiration comes from...
Reading (books, magazines, old journal entries, inspirational books, letters, Bible)
Writing
Talking
Surrounding myself with like-minded individuals
Surrounding myself with people completely different from me
Walking
Taking showers
Music (all different types)
Water (water falls, lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, beaches)
Parks
Lying in bed
Typing
Praying
Meditating
Thinking
Dreaming
Screaming
Running laps
Talking to my family (you know who you are)
Staying true to myself
Challenges
Fear of failure
Desire for contentment
The thought of potential
The desire to never have regrets
Never wanting to 'wonder'
Wanting to be the best 'me'
My future
My past
My present
Life
Laughter
Failure
Mistakes
Successes
FAB! FAB! FAB!
YOU!

HUGO BOSS PRIZE 2008: Artists, this one's for you!

WINNER OF HUGO BOSS PRIZE 2008: EMILY JACIR

HUGO BOSS Prize recognizes achievement in Contemporary Art

Are you an ARTIST? If so, take note!

The HUGO BOSS Prize has established itself as a significant forum for recognizing achievement in contemporary art. The PRIZE is the fruit of long-term cooperation between HUGO BOSS and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The prize was founded in 1996 and awards $100,000 to emerging artists or well established individuals whose public recognition may be long overdue. The criteria is solely based on innovation and creativity and determined by a distinguished panel of judges including museum directors, curators and critics. The 2008 finalists are Christoph Buchel, Patty Chang, Sam Durant, Joachim Koester, Emily Jacir and Roman Signer. Palestinian-American artist, Emily Jacir, took home the prize, awarded for her electic visual take on war, agony and the culture of Palestinians. Her work is dark with a history that runs deep, but it's her subtle way of capturing displacement that makes her so unique.

When: November 13, 2008

Where: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

Quincy Jones: Philanthropy Event Recap

FAB Founder, J. Styles, attends Quincy Jones "Q Prize" Philanthropic Event

A Celebration of the "Q Prize" with Quincy Jones to support Project Q at the Harvard School of Public Health and the Quincy Jones Foundation

November 13, 2008

Time Warner Center, New York City

Event Overview

Quincy Jones and the Harvard School of Public Health teamed up to award an international organization that utilizes music as a vehicle to impact and rescue at risk youth. The Q Prize was awarded to Maestro Gustavo Dudamel, the internationally renowed conductor, and his mentor Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu. They have successfully created a "classical music" program in Venezuela that provides structure, self-esteem and culture to the youth - despite skepticism from critics that such a music program would not be well received in the slums of Venezuela. Those critics proved to be wrong, very wrong! In the last 10 years, the program has served over 800,000 youth and given them a global sense of unity. The children of the program may never become professional musicians (and that's okay), but at Quincy Jones says, the program is "giving hope."

• Welcoming Remarks

Francois-Henry Bennahmias, President & CEO

Audemars Piguet North America

• Special Performances

Bianca Ryan, Siedah Garrett, Everhard Parades & Aristides Rivas, Michael McDonald & Wyclef Jean

• Presentation of Q Prize

Quincy Jones & Jay Winsten

• Q Prize Recipients

Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu & Maestro Gustavo Dudamel

• Auemars Piguet Live Auction

Limited Edition Piguet Millenary Pianoforte timepiece and autographed Quincy Jones memorabilia

• Celebrity Guests

Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Harry Radcliffe (Producer of 60 Minutes), Ray Chew and the Crew

Check out Maestro Gustavo and the youth he trains, magical music to your ears!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZbJOE9zNjw

***What is the FAB key takeaway?

Attending such a prestigious and well established philanthropic event was inspiring and sets the standard for what FAB aspires to be in the future!***

Quincy Jones presents the "Q Prize" to Dr. Jose Antonio Abreu and Maestro Gustavo

Siedah Garrett!

Wyclef Jean, enough said!

Michael McDonald performs, the crowed went crazy!

Wyclef Jean freestyles, he did awesome!

Remember Ashford and Simpson?

Wyclef Jean in the crowd, showing some love!

Luxurious Piguet Watch for auction

"We Love the World" celebrity signed picture frame for auction

Quincy Jones hugs the guests

Wyclef Jean mingles with 60 Minutes Producer (Harry Radcliffe) and others

Quincy Jones: Thought Provoking!

Having a moment of despair, but feeling inspired all in the same breath. As my ying yang thoughts seesaw in my mind, I am captured by last night's event. Quincy Jones hosted an event at the Time Warner Center in NYC celebrating the "Q Prize" to support Project Q at the
Harvard School of Public Health and the Quincy Jones Foundation. Being in the presence of givers, receivers, life changers, motivators, artists, pure talented and selfless individuals solidified and fueled my passion for FAB! The basis of the event was to honor an international organization that has tremendously impacted the lives of youth by giving the children what no one on earth can see, touch, feel, taste, or smell---->MUSIC! Quincy Jones stated it best when he said there are 4 words that we all should live by, "live, love, give, laugh." Before presenting the award, Quincy delivered a brief biography of his life, describing detailed encounters of his childhood when he was hustling on the streets of Chicago and how the neighborhood (including himself) aspired to be well-known gangsters. He admitted that pursuing any other dreams were unheard of and getting out of the ghetto was nearly impossible. But, just when all hell was breaking lose in Quincy's life and he was involved in a shooting, he ran into a room and there it was...a PIANO. When he touched the piano, his soul began to shiver and and every cell in his body felt alive. Music profoundly changed his life!
Hearing him speak and listening to the intensity of his experiences helped me to better understand where his drive and determination stems from and how we all can have that same zeal, if we can just find that 1 thing, that 1 hot spot that burns deep within our souls. For me, it was more than just a speech someone with years of experience delivered, it was a testimony of endurance and strength and a love for goodwill. I was touched!

Quincy Jones greeting the audience!

Volunteering!

Feels good to the soul + networking + free gift bag = VOLUNTEERING!

Why wouldn't I want to volunteer?! There are countless benefits to volunteering, it just makes sense to get involved, in some capacity or another. Each volunteer experience is obviously different, sometimes you're slaving away and other times the duties are much easier, but either way it's a great way to give back and meet a few people in the process. I volunteered today. I stuffed gift bags, greeted, and checked in attendees. It was 4 hours well spent. CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women) held a networking/seminar event called "Women in Beauty Series" at the Harmonie Club. If you're unfamiliar, CEW is a nonprofit professional organization for women in the cosmetics and related industry. The organization provides various opportunities that foster interaction, learning experiences and networking - all of which are vital to a thriving career and potential expanded social life. Great organization, changed my life! Today's guest speakers included: Ruth Sutcliffe, Senior Marketing Director at Coty, Isabel Ryan, Director of Fragrance at Avon, Jenny B. Fine, Editor at Beauty Bizz WWD. The event lasted from 6:00-7:30 p.m with over 200 guests in attendance. There was a mixer for 30 minutes, after which the featured speakers discussed the fragrance industry and their experiences as executives in the competitive market, and ended with a Q&A from the audience.

Want to join CEW?
Log onto http://www.cew.org/. ***Note of advice: the website is heaven to all beauty lovers, it is loaded with pertinent information, you just have to make sure that you are proactive and use the information listed! No worries if someone doesn't reach back out to you, there are tons of other members to contact, trust me, I know!

Volunteering is the way to go! Get involved someway, somehow!

Location of CEW event

Networking!

Ahh, the power of networking. Go to events. Even if you don't feel like it. Go! As cliche as it sounds, it isn't always what you know, it's who you know. If you get lucky, you'll get a break because of your intellect, experience, and all the other stuff we say to sell ourselves. But for many of us, it takes a bit of both. With that said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY URSULA STEPHEN!!! The Celebrity Hairstylist and New Image Beauty Expert celebrated her birthday tonight at the Loreal Studio in Soho hosted by Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child. Because I took my own advice with regards to going to events to network, I was able to meet Ursula in person and get a few business cards in the process - the key element is to immediately email the people whose business cards you received (include a hint so they will remember you, i.e. "girl with big orange earrings"). This advice may sound very elementary but you'd be surprised at how many people exchange business cards and never follow up, don't be that statistic...FOLLOW UP!

You many not recognize Ursula Stephen's name, but you sure know her work when you see it. Trust me. She is the reigning hairstylist for megasuperstar Rihanna, R&B sensation Keyshia Cole, and Destiny's Child member Michelle Williams. How did she get started you may ask?! "Word of mouth" admits Ursula, which proves my theory, networking is a must! Read more on Ursula, great article! http://clutchmagonline.com/beauty/beauty-chic/ursula-stephen-celebrity-hairstylist-and-new-image-beauty-expert/

Pics from Ursula's Birthday Bash!

Annonymous person, Ursula Stephen (Celebrity Hairstylist), Michelle Williams (Destiny's Child), Free (former BET 106&Park host)