The Other Side

This past weekend I had the pleasure of hosting my very first event as Public Relations Coordinator/Event Strategist for The 19th Hole Magazine. The 19th Hole Magazine is "Golf's Most Fashionable Magazine" and I am really excited for my new journey as I have jumped on board with the team.

Anyway, so back to the event. The event was a Special Black History Month Celebration titled Infiniti & Beyond. It was appropriately titled as we hosted the event in collaboration with the car dealership Infiniti of South Atlanta. The goal of the evening was to celebrate black owned businesses and entrepreneurs and to recognize those who paved the way. The venue was packed with special guests like Baba G the designer of Erykah Badu EarWings, African fashion designer Linda B, Chef Ratatouille Escovitch, Chefs Lowanda and Marcus and much more. Our grand prize raffle winner walked away with the brand new INFINITI QX50 for the weekend! I'm pretty sure she's going to buy it after a weekend in that beauty!

The most exciting part of the evening for me was seeing my idea come to life. I'm usually always attending events so it was very weird for me to be on the other side. Weird but exciting. And of course I had to share the experience with my readers!

The official event attire was business casual. In true Joanna nature, when I originally picked out my outfit, I picked out something over the top (as I always do). However, I ended up going with this simple yet eye catching outfit I purchased at Express. I'm definitely obsessed with the tweed on tweed and I decided to offset it with some navy blue. The outfit was definitely a conversation starter during my event.

Be sure to Follow the 19th Hole Magazine on twitter @the19thHoleMag and instagram @the19thHoleMag. They are also on Facebook so definitely swing by the 19th Hole Facebook page, take a look and like them to remain updated on future events. 

Romance Me

I am so proud to announce that one of my best friends and the mastermind behind my Youtube channel released her very first album on Saturday, February 1st. The night before this wonderful accomplishment, a few family and friends gathered to celebrate Arielle and congratulate her on her endeavors at her album release party.

The album, titled Romance Me, is collection of amorous tunes that take you on a journey through the different stages of love! (Link To Purchase Album Below). As Valentines Day is rapidly approaching, I definitely recommend that you hop on iTunes and purchase this album for you and your loved one to enjoy. I guarantee that you will fall in love with them all over again!

To my darling Arielle! I know I have told you a million times, but I want to tell you again how proud I am of you! I am so excited for the future and the great things you will go on to do. This is only the beginning. The grind doesn't stop here, it just started.

For the album release party, I thought it was only appropriate that I wore a shirt illustrating one of the greatest musicians of all time -- Bob Marley. I honestly believe my friend is a musical genius also and I believe she will go on to do great things. Click HERE to purchase Arielle's piano album --  Romance Me

I got a lot of compliments about my skirt. I purchased this skirt at the clothing store Express. Click HERE to check out a similar skirt that I also have my keen eye on! 

Art In The Black - Open Mic

As a huge supporter of the arts -- especially African-American arts -- the event I attended last night was absolutely fabulous. Last night I attended an open mic night titled Art In The Black, which was hosted by Black Artists International (B.A.I) in partnership with Showcase Group! The event took place here in Atlanta at the Southwest Arts Center and in the Blackbox Theatre. The ambience of the theatre was intimate and the shadowy and dim lighting really set the mood for the evening.

MY OUTFIT

Mustard yellow turtleneck  

Black blazer with gold zippers

Tuxedo midi skirt

I want to give a big shoutout to Black Artists International for this wonderful event! Atlanta Black Artists International is a network of African American Artists in the Atlanta area whose mission is to create platforms for artists of color to create and collaborate. During the ice-breaker, we were all asked a question, do you believe that the African American community is supportive of one another? The majority of us in the room responded with a big fat NO! Black Artists International have created something very special -- the opportunity for African American artists to work together! One of the biggest things I believe the African American community is missing is support!

I also want to give a big shoutout to the event's sponsor Showcase Group who provide Atlanta's youth with the opportunity to express themselves with innovative and creative outlets. Showcase group provide high risk youth with the opportunity for creative expression, psychological development, and behavioral growth. 

It was amazing to be in a room full of people who dedicate their time and talents to the betterment of the black community!

So...back to the event! The evening was filled with amazing artists with a wide array of talents and crafts. Below are some pictures for you to peruse!

(this gentlman below presented us with his latest single and I wish I remember his social media handles because his song was amazing!)

OKAY! So Below are the two ladies who presented my favorite show of the night! Below is a video I captured of their amazing, informative, and eye-opening performance!

...And this video didn't even start from the beginning of their poem! Awesome right?

So after the event, my friend Arielle and I decided to grab something to eat from the food truck outside and play around on the camera for a bit! Good times!

All in all last night was a lot of fun!

The Drexina Nelson Salon: Beauty Media Network's Be Beautiful Salon Tour

Fabulous Atlanta fashion, extravagant hairdos, shoeicide, captivating artwork, exquisite cuisine, intriguing small talk and so much more: These are a few of the things I experienced during the Beauty Media Network's Salon Tour stop at The Drexina Nelson Salon here in Atlanta, Georgia.

I joined celebrity photographer Drexina Nelson at her brand new salon for what was appropriately called "the ultimate art, fashion, beauty affair." When you first approach the building, you aren't prepared for how beautiful the salon you are about to witness is. I loved the modern decor that utilized a chic combination of black and silver.  The walls were adorned with beautiful photography artwork and I was surely impressed. I was even more impressed at how inviting and warm Drexina herself was. I took a second to introduce myself to her and she was so kind and pleasant. I was especially excited about my conversation with Drexina because I found out her salon caters to natural hair! They will surely be seeing me there very soon! Oh, and lets not forget how FAB Drexina looked!

Me with the lady of the night; Drexina Nelson 

Now lets talk about the event itself. I loved it! I took my mom as my date to this event for a little mother daughter bonding time! We had a blast. Everyone was so friendly and ready for conversation. I was a little shocked because we all know the perception about women in Atlanta: MEAN! However, this was not the case at this event. Everyone mingled, conversed, laughed, drank, and ate. It was surely a beautiful night.

How fly was my mother's outfit for the event!

So I have a little event "networking" advice for you all. If you ever attend an event and at first you aren't sure how to start conversation, then start with a complement. People love to hear what you love about them and trust me it will get the conversation going. Here is the thing though, don't jump start the conversation if you have nowhere to drive it to. For example, if you want to introduce yourself to the host of the event, then start with a compliment about the event then move on to talk about what you do and hand her/him your business card. Usually, if you got a chance to talk to the host of the event, you don't have much time being that they are busy and everyone is trying to get that one-on-one time too. I must admit, sometimes I get a little shy, but the more I network the easier it gets.

Beautiful models effortlessly sporting the designs of CHAI Design Studio 

Me with the talented designer responsible for the outfits above check out CHAI Design Studio at
www.chaidesignstudio.com

So anyway... you all know I couldn't go home without my goodie bag from BASIC Hair Care System. The cute goodie bag was stuffed with the boost sulfate free shampoo, the restoration conditioner, and a little bottle of herbaceous oil. Connect with them on twitter using hashtag #basichaircare and on instagram using #basichaircare.

If you want to check out The Drexina Nelson Salon, it is located at 781 Wheeler Street #7 Atlanta, Georgia 30318. Again, I am especially excited that they cater to natural hair -- once these braids are out -- I will definitely be going there for a blow out. Follow Drexina Nelson on twitter and like The Drexina Nelson Salon on Facebook. 

Women To Watch Event - Pledge To Be Bella

Yesterday I attended a spectacular event called Women To Watch, hosted by Diamonde Williamson of Pledge To Be Bella. Pledge To Be Bella is a women's empowerment group dedicated to spreading beauty and positivity by promoting inner growth and progression.

The event took place at Atlanta's Honey Bubble Tea, a cozy cafe that served superb bubble tea and yummy baked goods. Created by two Atlanta residents that longed to make quality bubble tea, Honey Bubble Tea was the perfect location for this wonderful event. The intimate location and its sombre environment created the perfect temperament for a night of networking and making connections.

Me with the wonderful Diamonde Williamson Founder of Pledge To Be A Bella

The moment I walked in to Women To Watch, I was wholeheartedly greeted by host Diamonde Williamson, who handed me a little slip of paper with a question on it. Every woman in the room was handed the slip, each with different questions. The idea was that we were to go around the room discussing the answer to our question with different people and engaging in conversation. I absolutely loved this game because it made for an amazing ice breaker. Often, at networking events we find it hard to start conversation with people out of fear of feeling awkward. However, with this game, the questions led to more in depth conversations which led to connections being made, business cards being swapped, and even possibly future friendships.

Me with Ms. Chinyere Nwokah 

Diamonde announcing the winners of the raffle

Along with the question, the ladies of Pledge To Be Bella handed out little cards witha  number on it. This number was your ticket into the raffle. I was lucky number 29! My number was called and I won a chance for Diamonde to buy me anything I wanted off of the Honey Bubble Tea menu. I ordered their house special; the Signature Royal Milk Tea! It was fabulous! 

I was overwhelmed with excitement from the moment I walked into Women To Watch. The room was filled with so many ambitious and beautiful women. You all know that She's So Me is dedicated to any and everything that encourages women to put their best foot forward in life. As I told Diamonde herself, I totally respect everything that Pledge To Be Bella stands for and I look forward to the next event. The only way to reach our goal of empowering all women is to create situations like this where women engage with one another and share our knowledge.

Connect with Pledge To Be Bella

Twitter: @PledgeToBeBella

Instagram: @PledgeToBeBella 

Website: Pledge To Be Bella