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Showing posts from 2013

Comfort and Joy!

Happy December World!- I just got in from The Flat in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The newly formed Brooklyn Women's Collective hosted a Comedy, Coats & Cakes holiday event at this unique venue. Great partners generously contributed to this thoughtful endevour. (Pic-Raffled in-kind donations) The YWCA and Safe Horizon will be recieving warm donations from attendees of the event. While speaking with Lauren Paige Richeson, Founder of The Brooklyn Women's Collective, I learned that over 200 coats have already been recieved by the YWCA from prior collections earlier this season.(Pic below- Donations from attendees) (Pic-Jeli Laya Daniel, Board Member) It was reported in local publications that NY Cares Coat Drive recieved less donations this year. So while people are still welcome to donate to them now, talk has begun of partnering with the Collective next year. (Pic-Lauren) Lauren was really sweet and made everyone feel so welcome as she 'Spread Love the Brooklyn Way.&#

What A Character!

(L-R Jeffrey Wright, Melanie Shaleya Lewis, Michael Kenneth Williams) On Sunday I went to the cool and cozy Bedford Hall for a screening of the season finale of Boardwalk Empire . It was a highlight that Michael K. Williams was to be in attendance. I was even more pleasantly surprised to see Jeffrey Wright as he entered the room. Now picture screens all around and nicely positioned seating to choose from, drinks of choice and food. I had some yummy mac and cheese and must mention my appreciation of the kind staff from entering to leaving. After some light research I found it interesting that Jeffrey Wright was a political science major in college and is the co-founder and Chairman of Taia Peace Foundation . He works closely in economic development in Sierre Leone. (Melanie Shaleya Lewis and Michael Kenneth Williams) Mr. Williams was a professional dancer before pursuing acting and founded Making Kids Win. -A charitable organization building community centers in urban neighborhoo

Fall Festival 2013

(Left to Right) Exceed Charter School Parent Teacher Association Members-Vice President Anita Forde, Treasurer Cherita Welch, President Greshwin Pierre and Melanie S. Lewis) I'm on the Parent Teachers Association for my children's school. This is my third year of experience in this role. Serving on the board is not always easy. Parents volunteer their time, money and resources as partners in their children's education. I encourage all guardians, community members, and educational partners to stay engaged as proactive supporters in educational pursuits. You are needed and appreciated! Together everyone achieves more! TEAM. Below are pictures from our 1st Annual Fall Harvest Festival on November 9th. We went all out and had fun doing it! (Fruit Turkey) This was the cool Harvest Art created by one of our scholars. (Sylvia Lewis-Grace loved her face painting by JJ the Clown !) (JJ the Clown and lil cuz) (Harvest Art and Crafts Winner Best Leaf Mask) (Sonia Cain-Crump, Tr

TWO CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

So yesterday I walked for a cure for breast cancer research. I was joined by my mom, a stage four cancer patient and you wouldn’t even know it, along with my daughters, a Girl Scout Daisy and Junior who represented their troops. We made our donation which I hope many others did as well. There is power in numbers and much that can be done when lots of people give a little of what they have for a cause. Whether it’s using one’s own two feet to make a statement and walk for a cure or another supporting the action of an initiative, two can make a difference. It was my daughters' involvement in the Girl Scouts that inspired our action. Though we knew many people that were talking about walking, we are grateful this opportunity was added for the girls to participate. P.S. unbeknownst to them my girls found out after the walk they'll get badges for their action! You made not have been there or knew about it, but you can still participate too! Be blessed as you take action a

All In Partnerships!

(Pic by Sylvia M.Lewis-Grace)Brooklyn, NY-Today in front of her campaign headquarters on Lincoln between Franklin and Classon Avenues, Laurie Cumbo was endorsed by Congressman Hakeem Jefferies for City Council District 35. Visit www.Lauriecumbo2013.com for more information on her platform. Be active and engaged in a campaign near you! We all are affected by the work of our public servants. Partnerships are powerful in getting the job done. Vote for your choice on primary day September 10th NYC. Be blessed.

Four Top Picks for August in America!

August is the month of new beginnings! There are so many amazing opportunities to be involved and active in your community, nation and the world. (Pic- North Texas Progressive Newsletter ) President Barack Obama will be celebrating his 52nd birthday on Sunday, August 4, 2013. Click here to sign his birthday card! There will be many active parties around the country as the president is calling August the month of Action! Click here to see the video and hear him speak at the Action August Summit. If you voted for U.S. President Barack Obama or are in agreement with some of his agenda, it would be wise to follow up by helping to support those initiatives sent by his offices and organizing for Action(OFA) 'Organizing for Action is a nonprofit organization established to support President Obama in achieving enactment of the national agenda Americans voted for on Election Day 2012. OFA will advocate for these policies throughout the country and will mobilize citizens of all parties

International Love for South Africa!

(Pic-Melanie and Sabrina Lewis) On June 20, 1990 I watched history take place before Former South African President Nelson Mandela even became President! He visited New York in less than five months of his release from imprisonment in Apartheid South Africa. The honorable David Dinkins was our mayor at the time. My mother took my sister and I to the square on Broadway near Fulton Street where we got a good view of his motorcade as it went pass. I remember hearing very loudly the African calls of excitement, and holding the signs above. Click Here to read the awesome New York Times Archive of that Day! While saddened by Mandela's ailing state, I'm praying for the nations. Let's all continue to celebrate his great continued legacy in service to our fellow man and woman. After all it was' advocacy and international suppor t' that helped him be freed after 27 years and become the first democratic leader of South Africa, as communicated in the Kenneth S. Brown bo

LOVE to PERSEVERE

It’s been a busy year. I’m grateful to God for continuing to see me through and give me strength to persevere. It is most powerful to ‘keep on moving,’ as Soul to Soul sang; ‘don’t stop.’ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. My mom, Judy Lewis uses that scripture as a focus of light for Kids Are People Too!-A talent showcase for children that she resurrected yesterday after over twenty years. I participated as a child and won a segment as well. The judges voted for me because they felt I was really the best!  (Pic-Mrs. Judy Lewis) Kids Are People Too has become the pre-show to the foundational event, S.M.I.L.E , presented by Rapha Evangelistic Worship Center/REWC by Visionary, Founder, Artist,- Senior Pastor Michael Turner Lewis / Mekhi El’. S.M.I.L.E. is an acronym for So Much Inspiration Love and Empowerment. (Pic- Pastor Mike/Mekhi E

Ripples of Inspirational Homage

Hello World, Bonjour! I finally got to stop in and experience the unique new Nouvelle Vague Coffee-Shop in my neighboorhood. While the owner, Valerie Vidal brewed my hot chocolate and warmed my almond spinach quiche, I found the above picture quote in the restroom. ~Inspiration can come from many places. :)~ Melanie Lewis at Nouvelle Vague Coffee-Shop (Ms. Vidal was camera shy) :) Ms. Vidal is from Paris, France and used to work as a graphic artist in the movie industry. The name of her shop and collague inspired walls are an homage to the New Wave French Film Movement La Nouvelle Vague of the late 1950's -60's. Jean-Luc Godard was one of the renowned artists of that era who, according to wikipedia critized mainstream cinema's "Tradition of Quality", which "emphasized craft over innovation, privileged established directors over new directors, and preferred the great works of the past to experimentation." To challenge this tradition, he and li