Female Fashion & Civic Engagement "Fashion To Figure" Quakerbridge Mall Lawrenceville NJ
March 2015
On Saturday March 21, 2015, Trenton 365
coordinated a fashion event to showcase several women from the Mercer County
Region who are committed to civic engagement and enjoy the art and craft of
fashion!
This event was held in partnership with Fashion
To Figure a women’s fashion retailer that specializes in trendy fashions for
women size 12-26.
Store Manager Alicia Thomas and Regional
Manager Sandra Havertong were immediately on-board with the concept and handled
in store logistics.
CEO Michael Kaplan understands the importance
of the surrounding community where his stores are located. Have a listen to our chat.
Company founders Michael and brother Nick are
the great-grandsons of Lena H. Bryant the revolutionary businesswoman and
visionary dressmaker who pioneered plus-size fashion more than 110 years
ago. The great-grandmother of the Kaplan
brothers affectionately known as “Gram” had a passion and belief: “never
ask women to conform their figures to fashion, but rather bring fashion to the
figure.” This statement
continues to inspire the Kaplan brothers and drives their mission as they
encourage the notion that fashion is a state of mind, not a size range.
Will Foskey of Trenton Going Global handled the
photographic documentation.
Kakeya Floyd of The Doll House handled the
hair and makeup for the participants.
Participants included
Megan Wear – Visual Fine Artist and Endangered
Animal Activist.
https://www.facebook.com/muhaze?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/muhaze?fref=ts
Megan
is continuing her work on her endangered species series as well as working on
some new repurposed furniture. Megan
states, “civic engagement is very important, if one cares about ones community
one should be active and supportive of people and institutions fighting for
change. It doesn't have to be on a grand scale all the time but just being
aware of what you can offer and do to help is what's important.”
“If
I could say one thing to encourage it would just be to do it, don't over think
it do it. Cause if u don't u never will, and you could miss out on a life
changing experience.”
Neisha
Kelly – Writer and Spoken Word Artist.
Neisha
is currently working on her first novel "Trapped: Inside the Mind of an
Addict" a three volume series on my personal battle with addiction.
My
quote about civic engagement is "Kindness and courtesy goes a long way,
learn to give a little bit each and every day."
A
quote to encourage others "Never let a dream be deferred." Inspired
by Langston Hughes poem A Dream Deferred
Marisol
Sanchez – Street Outreach Counselor with Anchor House NJ (A Multi-Service
Agency for Runaway and Homeless Youth & Their Families)
https://www.facebook.com/marisol.weaverhenderson?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/marisol.weaverhenderson?fref=ts
mweaver-henderson@anchorhousenj.org
www.anchorhousenj.org
609-218-5630 office
Currently, Marisol is
a Street Outreach Counselor at Anchor House, Inc., a non-profit multi-service
agency for runaway and homeless youth and their families. “Anchor House’s mission is to work with
homeless, runaway and abused children and youth to utilize their strengths and
the support of their families and communities in order to ensure a stable and
successful home. Anchor House offers a
continuum of care from birth to 21 years of age.” Marisol is responsible for providing outreach
and education services to run away, homeless and street youth, she provides
crisis intervention to youth who are at risk for sexual abuse and exploitation,
emergency shelter placements, referrals, home based interventions and
counseling and education services throughout Mercer County and the State of New
Jersey.
Marisol is a dedicated
mother of a 16 year old son and a 10 year old daughter, a member of the Mercer
County Council for Young Children, an advocate for children and literacy, an
advocate for the youth, for families, for the homeless population, for the
undocumented community and for education; her most important advocacy is for
Juvenile Diabetes.
“Civic engagement
cultivates and shapes communities for the better. I strongly believe that we must engage and
enable people in the community to enact the changes they want in their
community and thrive. Through civic
engagement, we have the power to bring residents together, encourage local
leadership, cultivate creativity and strengthen neighborhoods.”
“A confident woman is
BEAUTIFUL…especially when she knows who she is, why she is and what she’s
supposed to do. A confident woman is not
afraid to be herself and she understands her purpose. She knows that there are certain things only
she can contribute to the world!”
“This is where Fashion
to Figure comes into play….Fashion to Figure brings out the Beauty and
Confidence in all Full-Figure and Curvy Women; through their vibrant and
trendy, affordable, everyday fashions!!!”
I had an amazing
experience at the Female Fashion & Civic Engagement Event. I was able to share some great laughs and the
spotlight with beautiful, positive, talented, inspiring and extraordinary women
from our community…doing great things!
Thank you for the opportunity and experience; it was an honor to be a
part of this event.
“Sometimes the BEST
thing you can do for yourself is REFLECT…”
6. Taylor Pickett Stokes – Performing Artist and Instructor
https://www.facebook.com/taylor.pickettstokes?fref=ts
Singer/Actress/dancer/choreographer/
Facebook:
Taylor Pickett-Stokes
Fanpage:
SoulfulT&TheBand
Instagram:
Soulful_tee
twitter:Soulful
T
Soulful
T and The Band at Ramapo College May 2nd more
projects to be confirmed in the month of May.
A quote about the importance
of Civic Engagement
Give
100% or Don't Give at all.
A quote about your experience
at Fashion To Figure
Love
the Skin you're in, You are S.O.U.L.F.U.L
A quote to encourage others
You
Never Lose you either Win or Learn.
If you have any questions feel free to
contact.
Taylor Pickett-Stokes A.KA. Soulful T @ 609-643-3971
Taylor Pickett-Stokes A.KA. Soulful T @ 609-643-3971
Thank
You.
~G.R.O.W.T.H~
"God. Requires.
Obedience. Worship. Truth. & Humility."
7. Caitlin Fair – Community Organizer and Activist
https://www.facebook.com/caitlin.fair.908?fref=browse_search
The OneTrenton Project does a
monthly Books and Breakfast program at Shiloh Baptist church every third
Saturday of the month. We serve hot breakfast to the community and give out
books to youth 18 and under. Our next one will be a special edition in the
month of May in conjunction with the Capital City Book Fair. We will be having
a #BooksAndBBQ in Mill Hill Park on Saturday, May
2nd from 12pm-2pm. We will have a DJ, food, books, and children's characters
for the kids to take pictures with. We also do a weekly Teach-in at the Carver
Center on Thursdays from 6:30-8. We discuss various civic engagement topics, as
well as Black history, current events, and social justice issues. We also run a
"Poetry in Protest" campaign, through which we use various mediums of
art to promote awareness about issues of social justice and raise money for
grassroots organizations around the country.
Civic engagement is the difference between a reactive community and a proactive community. The more we engage with each other as a community, the stronger and more powerful we become. If we believe it is the responsibility, or the intention, of our administrations to educate and empower us, we are sorely mistaken. It is both our responsibility and our most powerful tool to educate ourselves and each other, and therefore empower and embolden our communities to create the kinds of places we want to live.
The Fashion to Figure event was both fun and powerful. I think that often times, women are the silent workers and unsung heroines within our communities. They are quietly and unassumingly doing much of the work, while getting little credit. I think these are often the same women who tend to overlook themselves in order to help others. To have a whole event not only to honor, but to pamper and celebrate those women, is outstanding. It gives those women the opportunity to be the ones in the spotlight for once, and rightfully so.
Keep pushin. I tell myself this daily. This kind of work is never easy, never pretty, and never glorious. And that's not what its about. If you do this work, it's because you know it is way bigger than you, and way bigger than all of us. And for that reason, we always gotta keep pushin, and may to God be the glory!
Civic engagement is the difference between a reactive community and a proactive community. The more we engage with each other as a community, the stronger and more powerful we become. If we believe it is the responsibility, or the intention, of our administrations to educate and empower us, we are sorely mistaken. It is both our responsibility and our most powerful tool to educate ourselves and each other, and therefore empower and embolden our communities to create the kinds of places we want to live.
The Fashion to Figure event was both fun and powerful. I think that often times, women are the silent workers and unsung heroines within our communities. They are quietly and unassumingly doing much of the work, while getting little credit. I think these are often the same women who tend to overlook themselves in order to help others. To have a whole event not only to honor, but to pamper and celebrate those women, is outstanding. It gives those women the opportunity to be the ones in the spotlight for once, and rightfully so.
Keep pushin. I tell myself this daily. This kind of work is never easy, never pretty, and never glorious. And that's not what its about. If you do this work, it's because you know it is way bigger than you, and way bigger than all of us. And for that reason, we always gotta keep pushin, and may to God be the glory!
Ayana Tru Beauty Rah – Educator and Owner of Timbuk2 Academy Pre-School and Daycare
Public contact info
Work
for TPD in the Juvenile Unit as a Youthstat coordinator.
CEO/Director
of Timbuk2academy Academy, LLC
Email: Timbuk2academy@outlook.com
Phone: 6099776406
Mail:
TIMBUK2ACADEMY ACADEMY,LLC
PO BOX
267
TRENTON,
NJ 08602
Ig&twitter
@timbuk2academy
Currently
we are fundraising to purchase supplies for the academy. Our goal is to raise between
10-15k, however, if we raise more this will help us to secure all of the things
we need. Payments can be sent throughpaypal:timbuk2academy@outlook.com or via mail Timbuk2 Academy, LLC
PO
BOX 267, Trenton, NJ 08602.
In
addition, we are selling items at the school store all shirts are on sale for
$15.00, all proceeds benefit the Academy. Link here: http://timbuk2academy.bigcartel.com/
We
will have a Gofundme posted this week, be on the lookout for it. Last, we will
host something very special for Mothers day so please be on the lookout for
that as well. Please follow us on facebook and instagram for daily updates, and
share our information with family and friends. ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE
ACADEMY!
Civic
engagement is about bringing communities together to identify, disect and solve
our problems together. It's about applying the knowledge, skills and values to
improve the lives of those within the community. It's a form of
empowerment...people need to know that they have a voice, a right and a
responsibility to speak out on issues which effect the quality of their lives.
We have to start working together and we must instill such values in our
children to do so as well.
The
fashion to figure experience was uplifting, fun and empowering. As women, we
must remember to embrace our femininity, be soft, yet confident and love who we
are unapologetically; be a woman. I work with young ladies daily and weather I
choose to accept it or not, these girls look up to me, they watch how I move,
how I dress, how I style my hair, the way I speak, how I treat myself etc. This
event reminded me to always keep that in mind. In addition, the other
women who participated in the event are pretty amazing.
My
advise for others, especially our youth, is to always stay true to self. Be
honest. Whatever you do, do it with integrity and good intention; good
character goes a long way. Find your purpose in life and never give up on
yourself or your goals. Lastly, have fun and don't be afraid to celebrate
you!!
I
had a wonderful experience! The staff was very professional and pleasant. I
felt like a celebrity!
We
should all work together to become successful. Always compliment and support
the next person.
I am
a true believer in customer service! Always treat others as you want them to
treat you. I was taught that when I was younger and I never forgot. I tell my
kids all the time.
Thank
you so much for this opportunity. I received a lot of positive feedback.
House
of Fashionz LLC
Houseoffashionz.Biz
Instagram:
houseoffashionz
Latonia Brown-Dickerson
(973) 444-0876
truebrown6@aol.com
(973) 444-0876
truebrown6@aol.com
Brown Magnolia Presents, "BROWN FACES ON THE GREENS" Junior Golf & Enrichment Summer
program.
Brown Faces
on The Greens is a Junior Golf and Enrichment Program offered to the youth of
Trenton, Hamilton and the surrounding areas ages 5 to 16.
This program introduces the youth to the game
of golf while they learn to apply the principles in golf to their everyday lives. Our program Core Values
(Dignity, Accountability, Integrity, Loyalty, Fortitude,Dedication, Sportsmanship and Civility) are
integrated throughout the entire program. The program also introduces enrichment and empowering workshops
to help address the concern of the youth. The workshops focus on Positive Self – Esteem,
Healthy Lifestyles and Anti – Bullying/Peer Pressure.
Trenton 365 is committed to encouraging civic
engagement as a model to improve communities.
To accomplish this, partnerships are critical to be successful, thank
you to:
Hot Sauce 4 Good
Happy Wanderer Bakery
Joe Canal’s
Thank you to all of the partners for this event and an extra special thank you to the staff of Fashion To Figure Quakerbridge!
Thank you to all of the partners for this event and an extra special thank you to the staff of Fashion To Figure Quakerbridge!