Giving Back and Never Giving Up

February has been designated Black History Month since 1976. This was an expansion of Negro History Week, established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, a Virginia historian, author, and journalist. This is a time to reflect on the accomplishments and sacrifices made by our Black ancestors and relatives. It has often been a long-standing joke in the Black community that we “got the shortest month of the year”, but you don’t have to wait until February to celebrate the great deeds and discuss the great injustices that Black people have traditionally gone through. There are countless resources that can be utilized all year round, and we have plenty of resources right here in Charlotte that you can check out for yourself:

www.museumofthenewsouth.org
www.charlottecultureguide.com
www.charlottemuseum.org

We should always celebrate our history, no matter what culture we come from or have assimilated into. This is a multifaceted and multicultural world, and we need to realize and strive to realize that every day. Some other notable events in history that occurred this month:

-The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848 between Mexico and the United States, ending U.S. Intervention in that area.
-Native Americans began The Longest Walk, a march from Alcatraz Island in San Francisco to Washington D.C. as a reminder of the forced removal of Native Americans from their lands due to White occupation. The march began February 11, 1978.
-Nelson Mandela was freed from a South African prison after over 27 years of imprisonment on February 11, 1990.

Make It Work!!
Last week was the infamous fall Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York City. It’s an opportunity to create a huge name for oneself as a designer, positively WOW the critics with a variation of your signature looks, or become the biggest flop in fashion history! Among those showing their fall collections were BCBG Max Azria, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Tracy Reese, and Zac Posen. The overriding theme this year was classic 1950’s chic—with a lot of dresses to show for it! Click here, http://www.amny.com/entertainment/custom/fashion/, for more info on Fashion Week, see the runway shows, or see how you can obtain that one of a kind couture outfit.



Entertainment Blast
Congratulations to big winners Kanye West and Amy Winehouse, who won four and five Grammys, respectively. Other winners include Rihanna and Jay-Z

(Rihanna and Jay-Z (Umbrella), Justin Timberlake, and even Barack Obama, who won for the best Spoken Word Album. Highlight of the night: Beyonce performing with Tina Turner! Congratulations to all of the winners and you can view the full list of Grammy Award winners here:
http://grammys.org/Grammy_Awards/50th_show/list.aspx


Official CI Weekend Party Spots
Come party with us at the hottest spots during CI week! Professional Swagga, Thomas Washington, and Firm events brings you the best of the best on Friday and Saturday. Saturday is the Official CI 3-in-1 Day Party...that's right, $20 gives you access to 3 hotspots, The Attic, Madison's, and Grand Central. 3 is always better than one...click below for more information:
http://www.theatticuptown.com/
http://www.madisonsbar.com/
http://www.uptownsgrandcentral.com/

Fever @ City Tavern, Friday, February 29, 21 and up, 25 and up encouraged. Ladies FREE before 10:30 pm.
Sex in the City @ City Tavern, Saturday, March 1, Ladies FREE before 10:30 pm.


P.S. Preferred Spots
Wednesday, February 13
R&B Live @ AllStars Bar and Grill, 5638 Albemarle Road, $10 cover
Want Me, Take Me, Buy Me @ Play @ HOM, 115 W. 5th Street, FREE

Thursday, February 14
Talent Thursday @ Tempo, 4809 Wilkinson Blvd., $10 cover
The Love Spell @ Verona Lounge, 127 N. Tryon, $15 cover

Friday, February 15
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Belk Theater
Rahsaan Patterson performing live @ Tempo, $20 cover
Glam Upscale Lingerie and Afterparty @ Villa Antonio, 4707 S. Blvd., ladies free b4 11:30, $10 cover

Saturday, February 16
Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik, Allure Restaurant and Bar, 1508 S. Mint St., free b4 11.
Phenomenal Women’s Club of Charlotte 2nd Annual Founder’s Day Ball @ The Café Room, 1250 Lucky Penny Drive, $35.00 cover

P.S… We give you what you crave, not just what you need!!!!