We’re swirling with tons of fresh energy and bloggers at C.O.R.E Mag this year! Xandria will be dropping knowledge on personal + social issues that teens constantly deal with on a daily basis. We’re excited to have her thoughts and tips on board for C.O.R.E Mag!
Let’s get to know Xandria a little better…
Name: Xandria Remi Milligan
Age: 17
City: New York City
Grade: 12th
What is your dream job and why? My dream job would be a television or radio show host because they get to speak their mind and have a lot of confidence to present to a large audience face to face. They also meet lots of different interesting people which I think is a nice part of that job.
Which hobbies do you enjoy? Playing video games, specifically Sims 3 and Grand Theft Auto, and making snapchats.
Who is your biggest crush? Chris Brown
What’s your fav song to vibe out to right now? Thank You Biggie by Dom Kennedy
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? I would take away negativity because I think that is what’s ruining the planet. People feel negativity towards other people, who are also negative to the environment. In a positive world, relationships between humans, animals and nature will prosper
What does empowerment mean to you? Empowerment means to positively impact ones life in which uplifts them to continue to contribute positively to themselves and society.
What are your plans after high school? After high school I plan to go to college to get my Doctor of Pharmacy degree so I can practice pharmacy in the United States.
How have you helped someone in your life lately? I helped someone who was lost, find their destination.
Who is your role model and why? My role model is forever going to be my mother because she is really strong. She has made so many sacrifices just so her children could have a chance at a better life and for us to be happy.
It’s time to kick off 2016 with fresh energy + hot style here at C.O.R.E mag! We’re thrilled to introduce Ryan as one of our stylish fashion bloggers for this year! She’ll be keeping you on board with the hottest trends and style secrets to keep you fresh throughout your semester.
Now, let’s get to know Ryan a little better…
Name: Ryan White
Age: 17
City: New York
Grade: 12th
What is your dream job and why?
I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer because I love art and I think it’s even better when you can wear it. Who doesn’t want to strut around in an art piece !?
Which hobbies do you enjoy? I enjoy both drawing and sewing.
Who is your biggest crush? My biggest crush is Adonis Bosso. <3
What’s your fav song to vibe out to right now? My favorite song right now would be Luxury by Azealia Banks.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be? I would change the way the world views young women, mostly the double standards.
What does empowerment mean to you? To me empowerment means strength, courage and wisdom because those are the important things needed to grow in life.
What are your plans after high school? I want to go to college and continue to focus on my career in the fashion industry.
How have you helped someone in your life lately? I participated in giving out canned food for the less fortunate on Thanksgiving.
Who is your role model and why? My mom because she works hard while being feminine & that’s how I want to be.
Life is all about transformation and shedding from one life phase to the next while discovering your hidden strength, beauty + power! Butterfly Dreamz has created the perfect outlet for youth to spread their wings and fly. Through their storytelling services, they inspire individuals to live their lives like BUTTERFLIES: flying fearlessly and pursuing DREAMS boldly, beautifully, and uniquely while inspiring others on the way!
Founder Joy Lindsay launched her organization in July 2013, a year after her younger sister, Kimberly Anyce Lindsay, transitioned into her life in heaven. After Kim’s passing, she had a desire to keep her story alive.
Joy began on a journey to preserve Kim’s story through the children’s book, When a Butterfly Chooses to Fly. Writing and storytelling became therapy for her, helping her to remain strong and pursue her dreams despite the unexpected setback of her sister’s passing. After seeing the impact of storytelling and literary arts had in her own life and the lives of others she shared her story with, Joy decided to explore the art forms more. She began to incorporate storytelling in her work of developing professionals and educating youth. Soon with the help of colleagues Butterfly Dreamz was created!
Through Butterfly Dreamz storytelling services and innovative curricula, they continue to build a universe of social leaders that are inspired to create, share, and use their stories to overcome life obstacles and change the status quo.
Let’s get to know Butterfly Dreamz a little better…
Butterfly Dreamz uses the art of storytelling to develop literacy and leadership skills in youth and adults, what made you launch this powerful organization?
I launched Butterfly Dreamz, Inc. after the death of my little sister, Kimberly Anyce Lindsay. Storytelling was and still is a huge part of my healing process. I found that telling stories about Kim helped keep her spirit alive; the stories were a much needed reminder of her beauty, boldness, and love for life when I needed it the most. Also, I found healing in sharing my story with others and listening to their stories. I’ve met many people who have transformed pain into purpose, and their stories inspired me to do the same. I soon realized that sharing my story was bigger than me; it empowered and encouraged so many other people to keep pushing despite life’s setbacks. This experience gave me a new purpose; a reason to live despite the death around me. With this new purpose, Butterfly Dreamz was born. At our core, we are an organization that uses stories to change lives.
Being a voice in the community motivates others to be great, what type of events and courses does Butterfly Dreamz host?
We host events and courses that help people: 1.) Build community, 2.) Discover their voice and creativity and 3.) Realize their dreams. In 2016, you can expect to see the following events and courses:
HerStory: A monthly workshop series that seeks to convene, celebrate, and build sisterhood. Each month, women and girls of all ages and backgrounds come together to share their stories and learn to create fun DIY projects.
Building E-books: A six-week course where students and parents learn to design and publish an e-book of their own!
Launching Dreamz: A six-week course for adults interested in launching a youth development program or event. This course guides participants through the process of launching their idea and awards $1,000 to help fund their dream.
Books and Burgers: Summer literacy workshops for kids and families. Participants come together to read books and write stories, while enjoying delicious burgers!
We also host online story competitions that are open to all students in NJ. Winners receive $100 and publication in our next e-book. More info about our competitions, events, and courses can be found on our website: www.butterflydreamz.org.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
My mother. She is and will always be my role model, my first teacher, my friend and my biggest cheerleader. Just by being who she is, she has taught me how to love (myself and others), how to forgive, and how to keep going, regardless of the obstacles that may get in the way. She has both deliberately and unconsciously instilled the essence of womanhood in meand my sisters. I am beyond blessed to be her daughter. <3
If you had to give one piece of advice to teen girls who are struggling with being comfortable in their own skin, what would it be?
Don’t let others define beauty and success for you; create your own definitions and be open to changing them whenever you see fit. How you define success and beauty may look different today than it looked 5 or even 2 years ago. That’s OK; we will and should evolve as women. The important thing is that as you evolve, you are in the driver’s seat. You are defining what beauty means, what success means, what your dreams are and how you will make them happen.
Working with youth both parties learn from each other, what’s one trait you have learned from working with girls?
Through my work with girls, I have learned to always be a scholar. By “scholar” I mean to always be inquisitive and interested in learning more, to always have a thirst for knowledge and growth. As I work with youth, I am constantly reminded that we do not just wear one hat (me as “teacher” and them as “scholar”), but we all wear both hats. We teach and learn from each other.
We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you + your organization?
For me personally, l would define empowerment as a discovery of the inner strength that drives someone to make his/her dream a reality. For Butterfly Dreamz, Inc. empowerment is when our participants create, share, and use their stories to change the status quo.
Fun Faves! Song? Food? Artist? Celeb Crush?
•Song- “You Bring Me Joy” by Anita Baker
•Food- anything chocolate
•Artist- Tupac
•Celeb Crush- He’s not a celeb yet but my forever MCM is my boyfriend 🙂
Lighting the way to a brighter future for our generation is key for change + Ignite The Dream is blazing the way! Launched by Danielle Johnson + Shantinique Hendricks, ITD’s mission is to expand opportunities and enhance the lives of young dreamers. They strive to rekindle the fire and unlock the potential in young people and enable them to imagine success in their future.
Ignite The Dream is an young individual led team founded by two college students that saw a need to help youth follow their dreams. Many children are raised around poverty, violence, and illness, which may hinder their dreams of being a success. However, not every child is faced with adverse living situations but they may be hindered from reaching their full potential. Every child should be awarded the opportunity to reach their full potential and follow their dreams. These two dynamic women have been guest speakers at the ” I Am My Sisters Keeper Conference” as well as the “I Am Worth It Conference”. They also host their own events within the community and incorporate fashion in education!
Let’s get to know Ignite The Dream a little better…
Ignite The Dream is a powerful organization that inspires youth to shine bright in their future, what made you want to create a platform to encourage young people? Being from Alabama it almost seemed like everyone around us felt like they couldn’t make it or couldn’t completely follow their dreams because of their location or their limited resources. We too had dreams we wanted to achieve and places we wanted to travel to but we knew we would not achieve them if we had a negative attitude and focused on the little things. We started Ignite the Dream to help the youth get back to dreaming and get back to working towards what they really wanted in life whether it was to be a doctor, lawyer, actor, or even a talk show host. Whatever their dreams may be we wanted to be a support system and a encouraging voice to let them know its possible if they work hard and never give up.
Being a voice in the community motivates others to be great, what type of events does Ignite The Dream host? Ignite the Dream host events that we know will cater to the inner needs of the youth and how they are feeling but will never talk about. We hosted a Tea Party for a local Martial Arts Academy in hopes of helping build girls ages 5 to 18 self esteem when it comes to being around other females and how to dress and act like an young lady. ITD also hosted “ Young Black Kings Reclaiming the Throne of Manhood” in honor of Mike Brown and Trayvon Martin. We had a panel of guest speakers that were successful men in the area that spoke words of wisdom and encouragement. There were free haircuts being given and a self-defense performance by a martial academy. ITD was also guest speakers at the “ I Am My Sisters Keeper” conference and the “I Am Worth It” conference talking to young ladies about success, following their dreams, and self-esteem. We also did free tutoring during the summer.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why? When it comes to who inspires us I think we could talk forever, but to keep it brief our grandparents, mothers, some friends and mentors inspire us because they all worked so hard to get where they are in life and it only motivates us to work hard no matter what. Our moms are truly our backbone and our support system and I don’t know where or who we would be without them.
If you had to give one piece of advice to teen girls who are struggling with being comfortable in their own skin, what would it be? If we had to give teen girls who were struggling with being comfortable in their own skin apiece of advice it would be that in a world where the definition of beauty is controlled by the media sometimes it feels impossible to be happy with who you are, but take back the power! Strive to love yourself just as you are because once you learn to love yourself nothing or no one can stop you, you are worth it!
Working with youth both parties learn from each other, what’s one trait you have learned from working with girls? One thing I can honestly say we have learned from working with girls is strength despite circumstance. We have talked to so many different girls from different backgrounds and have heard stories and situations that you would think played a huge role on who you are, but these young ladies are still striving to be better and to succeed and they don’t let money or material things define them because they know who they are and what they bring to the table if they are given a chance.
We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you + your organization? To me empowerment means to be humble enough to look to the person next to you and say I wish you best even if you are going after the same dream. Empowerment means that you do not only want to make it to top but you are willing to bring other with you. To ITD empowerment means if we can say one thing that helps a young person or anybody reconsider going after a dream then we have accomplished what we came to do. We like to encourage and show young people how to work with a spirit of excellence in all that they do.
A positive movement matched with an influential voice is exactly what Keidre Harris embodies as a woman making a difference! Keidre launched Girl Power Chat Sessions to encourage, inspire and thrust Millennial and Generation X Professional Ladies in pursuit of their dreams. This power force has expanded into a radio broadcast, community forums, and so much more!
As a Preacher’s Kid, Keidre began serving in ministry under the leadership of her mother, Reverend Cynthia H. Harris throughout her pastoral appointments in Louisiana and Mississippi within the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). At the vibrant age of 22, she successfully served on the Campaign Staff of Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, President/Publisher of the AME Publishing House during the 2000 General Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Keidre holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management from Jackson State University. In addition, she is a certified Housing Counselor with Neighbor/Works of America. She has appeared on KSLA Channel 12 News, Fox 33 News, and Streaming Faith Network (an international internet broadcast). She has been a featured guest during several radio shows aired on KSYB (1300 AM) and KDKS (102.1 FM) “I AM MY FAITH” talk show.
Let’s get to know Keidre a little better…
You launched GirlPowerChatSession.com to motivate and inspire women, what made you create this wonderful outlet?
After completing a youth project entitled PUSH Magazine, I felt a strong desire to impact the lives of Young Adult Ladies across the world. I wanted to be a beacon of light to those in need of encouragement, inspiration and motivation. Proverbs 27:17 says “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Girl Power Chat Session is a sisterhood established for college students, young professionals, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders experiencing setbacks, rejections and adversities.
You hold a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management from Jackson State University! Did you know growing up what career path you wanted to take as an adult?
Yes, working in the field of business was always my passion.
Being an young business woman can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?
Great Question! I pray and talk to God about the situation. Occasionally, I share my concerns with my family to gain advice and motivation. In an effort to remain effective my strategy to regroup is simply taking a break to clear and relax my mind. Also, I remind myself not to allow negative energy, defeat or disappointment derail my mission of impacting the lives of youth and young adults around the world.
What are 3 pieces of advice you would give to girls who wanted to pursue their dreams but are too nervous to start?
Girls never allow nervousness to hinder your pursuit in achieving a dream. Remember being nervous is not an indicator to stop going after your dreams. If we could interview President Barack Obama or First Lady Michelle Obama they would probably admit to moments they experienced nervousness from time to time.
Try using the Coach and Cheerleader concept. Pray and seek a mentor. Connecting with someone who has been where you are going will help you through the process of achieving your dreams. Also, surround yourself with a great group of family and friends who will encourage you along your journey.
Be your greatest encourager! To overcome nervousness you must speak positive and uplifting affirmations while pursuing your dreams. The bible is a great tool. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” If you believe, you can overcome anything!
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
My mother, Rev. Cynthia H. Harris is a great inspiration. I will forever admire her resilience demonstrated throughout my life. She is a phenomenal woman of elegance and grace. As a child, she became my favorite preacher after ministering the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. My big sister, Monica Harris Price inspires me through her creativity and words of encouragement.
My pastor, Bishop L. Lawrence Brandon allows me to enhance my giftings in the areas of Ministry and Business while serving at Praise Temple of Shreveport. As my mentor, I admire his tenacity of building people, communities, and cities to Advance God’s Kingdom Agenda. He is truly a Man of Action.
We are all about empowerment, What does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
I believe empowerment awakens areas in your life that may be lying dormant. The bible says in Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for the lack of knowledge.” Empowerment gives knowledge to enhance one’s life for the greater good both personally and professionally.
Time for the Faves!
Artist? Tye Tribbit; Tasha Cobbs, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, Bishop Paul S. Morton
Food? Love Pizza, Chicken Pasta, and Soul Food
Movie? Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls,
New Movie Favs: Furious 7 and Avengers: Age of the Ultron
A taste of style is exactly what NYC ordered when fashionista Chelsea Turpin arrived to take over the fast paced + invigorating city with her own flavor. Hitting the pavements of the concrete jungle in 2013, she left the breezy days of LA to embark and create her voice in one of the fashion capitals of the world. While juggling between being a student and an intern in the highly competitive field, she shares her journey through her influential blog over at ChelseaTurpin.com! She hopes that sharing her dreams and an inside peek of her life will motivate others to conquer + master their dreams as well! And of course, give the world an extra dose of style!
Let’s get to know Chelsea a little better…
You’re a fly fashion blogger hailing from LA to NYC! What made you dive into the fashion industry?
My interest in fashion started at a young age. I started collecting sneakers in middle school and it grew from there. I always used the way I dressed as an outlet to express myself. Wearing a cool pair of shoes or a new outfit just always made me feel confident and comfortable. After landing a part-time job in a boutique, I realized I could turn my passion into a pay check.
Blogging is a great outlet to share your journey, how does your site allow you to express yourself and your dreams?
Moving to New York alone, I left behind a lot of friends and family members. I started my blog as a way to just share my experiences but it ended up being an outlet where I could also curate different outfits and images that I thought were interesting.
Style is a way of expressing yourself without speaking, how would you describe your personal style?
My personal style changes with me as a grow and go through different phases in life. Growing up I was really into sneakers and street wear then I went through a boho phase and had a couple different styles in between. Now that I am working and getting into my career I am definitely going for a little bit of a sophisticated look, but I still try to have fun with shoes and accessories to show my personality.
Being young and having responsibilities can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?
I usually give myself a little time to be alone with my thoughts, whether its going for a run or shopping. After that, I just have to keep going. You can’t let that feeling of defeat be on your mind too long. You just have to keep going and evaluate things you can change to improve the situation. What am I doing that isn’t working? What do I need to change?
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
I look up to my mom and my grandma the most. I feel like any confidence or intelligence I have is because of them. They are both extremely smart and hard working women. From a young age, they showed me that I can have anything I’m willing to work for. Even on her worst days my mother is a warrior and at 83 years old my grandma is still learning new skills like painting and photography.
We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
Empowerment means setting goals and achieving them. The day I realized that I am in control of my own life, everything changed for me. I felt like I discovered a secret that someone had been keeping from me all these years. If I do the work I can have anything that I want. As long as I have faith and another day to work towards what I want, I feel empowered.
Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
I hate to admit it but I love Kim Kardashian. I think she is gorgeous, I love her sense of style, and I admire how she used what she had and created her own lane. My celeb crush is definitely Michael B Jordan and like every girl I love Drake. I love all the fashion movies, Devil Wears Prada, Sex in the City, and any fashion documentary. Especially now that I work in the industry I find them really interesting and inspiring.
Inspiration is contagious, right? Of course it is and True Belles is sprinkling it everywhere! As a community based organization, True Belles has a mission to recondition the minds of young girls teaching them to be individuals of tact, class and integrity through learning to love, respect and accept themselves! This empowering organization seeks to be productive in their lives so that they in turn become productive within their own lives and the lives of others.
True Belles is a community based youth development program that serve young girls 7-14 years of age. Their sole purpose is to enhance lives by providing the proper tools that will produce life long success. True Belles was formed under the the proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ They understand that children are faced with many negative influences and experiences and for that reason alone it takes more than a mom and (or) dad to teach a child the ways of life.
Let’s get to know True Belles a little better…
True Belles reconditions the minds of young girls teaching them to be individuals of tact, class and integrity through learning to love, respect and accept themselves. What made you launch this empowering organization?
The inspiration behind the True Belles Mentoring Program is none other than my Belle herself, Miss Tiana Reed, who noticed a very disturbing preview of an upcoming reality show that depicted black females as being less than ladylike. Understanding that television is of a great influence to young girls such as herself, she decided that together we should provide an alternative to the negativity by coming up with something positive.
Your organization offers a variety of programs for girls – Discover, Lead, Serve. How does each program shape the success for girls?
Though each individual segment serves its own purpose, only together will it truly shape success. When girls are taught how to tap in and discover all the great qualities that are innate, they become strong, confident and bold which sets them up for to become leaders that will at some point serve their communities.
If you had to give one piece of advice to girls who are struggling with being comfortable in their own skin, what would it be?
My advice to girls who struggle being comfortable in their own skin is this: Puzzles come with many defining pieces. In order to see the full beauty of the puzzle, each piece has its own part to play and is equally important so understand that just like that puzzle piece, you have your own shape, size and color and no matter how different you may seem to others, you have an important place in this beautiful puzzle that we call our world; embrace your position. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by so many great individuals however, my current inspiration comes from our Fist Lady, Michelle Obama!! Mrs. Obama is everything that a Belle is known for. She is beautiful, smart, innovative and classy but yet an all around, down to earth, fun girl.
Working with youth both parties learn from each other, what’s one trait you have learned from working with girls?
Working with today’s young girls I have learned to be resilient. Young girls have it hard and they go through so much but they somehow manage to shake it off and bounce back time and time again.
We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you + your organization?
What empowerment means to myself and my organization is simple, it is nothing more than unadulterated awareness. They say that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear so when you open your mind to accept all of life’s great lesson you allow those new and powerful awarenesses to be untainted.
We can all agree that every Angel has a bit of Tomboy in her, right? Well, Madison Star + Mallory Iyana created a scrumptious bodycare line to match up perfectly with the brilliant characteristics all girls posses. Angels and Tomboys is a bodycare company for ‘tween and teen girls. After being bored senseless with their body care products, they had this cool idea to make everyday products that girls use fun. The ambitious kidpreneurs came up with fresh names, characters and unique fragrances for these products and pitched the idea to thei mom. After their mother falling in love with the idea she named the company Angels and Tomboys as a reflection of her children’s unique + complex personalities and interests!
The goal of the company is to produce products …that every girl will love and enjoy with an emphasis on every girl. Because each girl is unique and has different interests, hobbies and styles, the products are created with every girl in mind: the ballerina, the tree climber, the fashionista, the sports fanatic, the music lover and the book worm. Angels and Tomboys is not just a brand, it’s a movement. This dynamic sibling team plans to change the world one girl at a time.
Let’s get to know Mallory & Madison a little better…
Angels and Tomboys is a body care line that empowers young girls and boost their confidence with fun and feel good scents. What made you ladies to launch this line?
Madison: We got tired of wearing our mom’s perfume and going into the stores with her and not being able to touch anything. So, me and my sister decided to make our own lotions and body sprays. It’s a lot of fun. I get inspired by everything, like things that my family does, dancing, sports, my friends and then I try to make a scent for it.
Mallory: I like it because we get to help people, like the women in the shelter. We’re going to givethe girls there some of our lotion and body spray so that when they go to school they feel good about themselves and they smell good. Every year for my birthday party I ask people to give something that they can donate to charity like coats and shoes. I like to help people.
Ranging from Peanut Butter Jelly Time to Candy Star Glam to Rockin’ Blueberry, Angels &Tomboys offers delicious scents for tween and teen girls! How do you create + come up with these tasty scents?
Madison: I think about everything that I do and like and that my friends do. My family inspires me too. For example, my signature scent is Candy Star Glam and I came up with it because I like celebrities and I want to be famous. So I thought, hmmm Candy Star Glam. It had red glitter. All of the signature scents have glitter.
Mallory: I like hot chocolate and I like ice cream, so that’s how I came up with Frozen Hot Chocolate. Frozen Hot Chocolate is my signature scent and it smells so good that I wish I could eat it! I try to take everything I like and make it something I can smell and remember. I want to have fun and I want to smell good, so I think about that when I think about my lotion and body sprays.
Being young and having responsibilities can sometimes get to be a bit overwhelming, how do you regroup and motivate yourself when you’re feeling a little defeated?
Madison: I talk to my mom and my sister and then we do something fun together. My mom helps us and she loves us. I talk to my friends too and hang out with them at sleepovers or they come over my house and we play video games and dance.
Mallory: I talk to my mom and I dance, something creative.
What are 3 pieces of advice you would give girls to be confident in themselves?
Madison: I would say, be you, be smart and be beautiful. I say my prayers then tell my sister Mallory something nice that I like about her and I tell my mom that I love her. Before I go to bed, I say my Prayers, drink warm herbal tea and write in my journal so I can get my feelings out.
Mallory: You have to like you and be nice to other people. Every morning I say my prayers, wake my sister Madison, and tell her something nice that I like about her and tell my mom that I love her.
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
Madison: I look up to my mom. She’s a business woman and I watch what she does and try to help her. She’s really nice to everybody and she helps accomplish my goals and do what I need to do for school.
Mallory: My mommy. She dances with me and I can tell her all of my jokes.
We are all about empowerment, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you?
Madison: Empowerment means to me that I can do anything, so I try to. I dance, I sing, I make lotions. I like to feel good and I like to help other people feel good and when you do that you feel like everything is right.
Mallory: To me, it’s like when you think you can’t do something but you do it anyway and you say, oh that felt good! So, I’ll do it again and again until I’m good at it. It means I don’t give up.
Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
Madison
Favorite Angels and Tomboy Scent: Candy Star Glam
Favorite Color: Turquoise
Favorite Music Artists: Katty Perry, Beyonce’, and Taylor Swift
Favorite Actor: Taraji P. Henson
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Book: Diary of a Whimpy and Dork Diary Collections
I Like To Wear: Skirts, Ballerina Flats and Anything That Sparkles
Mallory
Favorite Angels and Tomboy Scent: Frozen Hot Chocolate
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Music Artists: Usher, Missy Elliott and Janelle Monae
Stylish, smart + business savvy are all of the qualities of veteran journalist + editor Tai Beauchamp! Known for her savvy sense of style and ability to deliver inspiring and aspirational insights, women of all ages recognize her as the voice of stylish living.
Hailing from NYC Beauchamp earned a B.A. in English literature from Spelman College and attended New York University’s Television Production program.
Beauchamp launched her editorial career interning at Good Housekeeping and Harper’s Bazaar magazines and went on to work as a beauty editor at O, The Oprah Magazine, Suede, and Seventeen. She later served as the deputy editor of VIBE Vixen and style contributor to www.ivillage.com.
Today, Beauchamp is Style Ambassador of InStyle, a lauded host, beauty and style authority, and CEO of Tai Life Media, LLC. Tai has partnered with some of the most reputable consumer and retail brands including Dior Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Tacori, Target, and Proctor & Gamble where she served as spokesperson of P&G’s My Black is Beautiful Movement. She appears regularly as a correspondent on network and cable television for the likes of ABC, CBS, BET, TV One and shows including “The Today Show,” “Good Day New York,” “Entertainment Tonight”, “The Talk”, “Bethenny” and the “The Wendy Williams Show.” Tai has also hosted The Grammy and Academy Awards red carpets and is a powerful public speaker.
She is also a social entrepreneur and champion for causes, most of them aimed toward youth and education and empowering women through fashion and beauty.
Let’s get to know Tai a little better…
You’re an amazing journalist and editor who has worked with a variety of top media outlets! How did you first dive into your career?
Interning is the most critical experience a young person can have when pursuing any industry or career. And not just for the obvious reasons. Sometimes you are fortunate as I was to find something and an industry I loved but sometimes interning can be about learning what you don’t want to do–it can be a process of elimination. Interning is also about building relationships and meeting people in your industry who might be future bosses, colleagues, mentors, etc. Internships also help individuals understand how to operate in a professional environment. My first internship in publishing was a full summer internship at Good Housekeeping. At the time Hearst Magazines had an organized summer internship program for about 30 young people. I worked really hard and built solid relationships during that internship that I still have today. I interned the following summer at Harper’s Bazaar. And when I graduated the following year, O, The Oprah Magazine was just launching and that’s where I began working officially in publishing as the fashion/beauty assistant.
Having an extensive background in style & beauty what is one fashion & beauty tip that you live by?
True style is individual…there is no set formula for style. Use your style to say something fabulous to the world.
Life can become stressful specially when you’re achieving your dream, how do you regroup & stay focus?
This is a tough one because I believe that no matter how perfectly wrapped things may seem on the outside, nothing is perfect! It’s certainly challenging for everyone, no matter where you are in life. Whether you are a company CEO, a manager, or an intern, there are and will be challenges. There are a few things I do to recharge and stay focused.
1) I pray and meditate daily.
2) I workout at least 4-6 x a week.
3) I surround myself with people who believe, champion, and support me and my dreams. These are my “riders”! When I don’t have the strength or vision on a day, they remind and ultimately rally me.
4.)I take inventory and stock of my goals at least quarterly. This is a good way to not only evaluate your progress but to determine if there are other avenues I should consider.
5) I get out of dodge! I love and know how to check out. I can’t do it often but I’m a big believer in taking time away from it all! And I do it as often as possible.
6) I mentor. People think that to be a mentor is all about giving. Truly, mentoring is as much about giving as it is receiving. I learn so much from the young people that I mentor. And at the end of it, however, these young people are also my inspiration to keep going.
What is your ultimate goal you would like to achieve in this lifetime?
There are so many things I want to achieve…spiritually, personally, and professionally. All my goals for the most part, center around touching as many lives as meaningfully as possible. I do look forward to being a wife and mother…it’s about that time.
Being a teen can be tough when you’re growing up, what was the most vital lesson as a teen you learned that carried into your adult life?
The most critical lesson I learned as a teen that I didn’t necessarily believe at the time but know it is true today is cliche that so many parents still stay “you are the company that you keep”. I’m still best friends with two of my childhood best friends. But even more than that, I know that the people I surround myself with are a reflection of who I am andmy style. Keep good people around you!
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
I don’t know if I “pull characteristics” from others as much as there are qualities I respect and admire in others. Some of the people who inspire me are my grandmom, Oprah, Ryan Seacrest, a dear friend who is like a little sister to me, Clementine Wamariya and so many of my friends that are truly too many to write. They all inspire me for different reasons. My grandmom inspires me because she has always been a beautiful spirit with a warm heart. She’s also the strongest and most resilient person I know! Oprah because I so admire her as a business woman, philanthropist, champion of women and brilliance. He has redefined what it means to be a super producer. Clementine is like the Buddha come to real life…she exudes peace, love and grace and makes me to want to be more peaceful, loving, and gracious. And I’d also say my godchildren because their happiness is contagious.
Time for the Faves! Celeb Crush? Artist? Food? Movie?
Celeb…hmmm Brad Pitt, I think. I can be a bit fickle…after “Happy” came out, it was Pharrell…I’m sure it will change again.
Favorite artist, I’m blasting Beyonce, Jay Z, Stevie Wonder, and Pharrell right now…I wish I could get them to put something out together…all four of them.Sushi, I could each sushi everyday!
Every girl should live bold, love strong and laugh loud! Girls; Live, Love, Laugh, Inc. is a nonprofit organization focusing on 6-13 year old girls living with limited resources in the inner city of Newark, New Jersey and the surrounding areas. Their vision is to empower girls by building positive self-esteem, proper etiquette, self respect, and health/fitness. They aim to make a difference by removing obstacles that stand in their way, so that they can become respectable, successful, productive, and happy young ladies. This influential organization offers a variety of programs that focuses on many pressing issues that are relevant in today’s society.
Let’s get to know Girls; Live.Love.Laugh, Inc. a little better…
Girls; Live. Love. Laugh, Inc. empowers girls by building positive self-esteem, proper etiquette, self-respect, and health/fitness! What made you launch this empowering organization?
I didn’t launch this empowering organization, God had this vision and is just using me to do his work. I was the chosen one. I now know that every test, every trail and tribulation that I have been through he was preparing me for this assignment. When God blesses you with a gift or a calling, it is up to us to answer him and use our gifts. Girls; Live. Love. Laugh. Inc. in here because of Him.
How does Girls; Live. Love.Laugh, Inc. encourages positive family influence in young ladies lives?
Family is extremely important to the very foundation of Girls; Live. Love. Laugh, Inc. Losing our parents at an young age, all of my sibling and I had was each other. I do not know what would have become of us if my parents did not instill the value of family before their passing. We teach our girls that in our organization we are family. We may not always agree or get along, but as with blood relatives, we work through it together. We also encourage open communication between mentors and the parents. It’s about building a support system that let’s our girls know that they are not alone and there are people who they can turn too no matter what. At GLLLs, there is nothing more important than family, but God.
If you had to give one piece of advice to teen girls who are struggling with being comfortable in their own skin, what would it be?
God made no mistakes when he made you. You are beautiful just the way you are. Your uniqueness separates you from everyone else in the world; embrace it, love it and own it. There will never be another You; so live life impressing yourself, and being the best you can possible be. YOU ROCK!
We tend to pull characteristics from others in our lives or from people we admire, who inspires you and why?
My mom is my greatest inspiration. Growing up in the projects with 7 siblings I never knew that we were what society deemed as “poor”. My mom worked and went to school. She was not just a provider for her children, but all the children in the neighborhood. Although it wasn’t much, she shared everything she had with everyone. She raised her children on the scripture Mark 12:31 “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”. I inherited my spirit of community giving and loving from my mom.
Working with youth both parties learn from each other, what’s one trait you have learned from working with girls?
One of the most transforming things I have learned from our girls is to DREAM BIG and FEAR NOTHING! Every year we ask the girls to fill-out profile cards where they are allowed to share anything, specifically, their dreams and goals. Over the years I’ve noticed that some of the girl’s dreams were the same dreams I had at their age. Unlike our girls, I was fearful and lacked the self-esteem to pursue my dreams. Because of their fearless spirit I was inspired to pursue my college degree and start my own business. I am now entering my final semester at Essex County College, where I will be receiving my degree in Social Work. I am also the proud owner of The Youthpreneur, LLC. a dedicated to providing events and entertainment specific to youth. As they set out to make me proud, I want to make them as equally proud.
We’re all about empowerment at C.O.R.E Mag, what does EMPOWERMENT mean to you + your organization?
To me, Empowerment means finding your own voice, and then helping others to find theirs. Empowerment also means investing in your community by giving back through volunteer work and community service. Girls;Live, Love, Laugh Inc. believe that Empowerment is helping your sisters; wanting for them, the same things you would want for yourself. We have an obligation to one another as sisters, and that is to pull up the next sister by providing them with the tools and resources that were afforded to us.
Fun Faves! Song? Food? Artist? Celeb Crush?
Eating Pizza, Traveling, Singing and Reading are my fun faves. My favorite song is Fantasia’s “Sometimes you have to lose to win again”. My favorite artist includes Fantasia and Pastor Shirley Caesar. My favorite celebrity crush I would have to say my husband Andre. He’s my celebrity and I have the biggest crush on him.
