Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Competiting in Pageants for Beginners


Competing in pageants is fun, rewarding, and beneficial for kids (specifically young ladies) of all ages.  Pageants are used to display style, highlight beauty, and often earn money that can be used towards scholarships.

More often than not, new pageant participants may have questions about things like fees.  Here are some Q&A's that may be helpful:

1. Why do I have to pay a fee to compete? Much like many competitive sports, there is overhead involved to host an event: Venue, Decorations, Trophies, Crowns, Advertising, and Cash Prizes for winners.  In order to remain in business, Pageant Directors must cover their expenses. 

2. How are pageants scored? Pageants are scored in different manners. Some follow strict point systems and others go by stack rankings.  Prior to the event, Pageant Directors normally provide parents with insight on how upcoming pageants will be scored.

3. Can I compete in the same pageant circuit twice? Yes and no. Depending on the circuit, you may not be eligible to compete more than once. However, there are many pageants that are held locally and welcome return participants.

4. Do I need a sponsor? Yes and no.  Larger regional or national pageants can be very costly.  Unless you have the disposable income, getting a sponsor (local business) to help you is a good idea. However, there are many local pageants that make competing affordable through fundraisers and discounts at local retailers. 

Preparation is key.  With ample time to prepare, saving, and smart shopping, pageants of all kinds can be made easy!

Hopefully this helps! If you have a little one or teenager who is outgoing and wants to start saving for college, I strongly suggest participating in pageants. They are memorable events that can be attended time and time again.

Visit www.dynastygems.org to participate in our upcoming event in Jan 2016! We'd love to see you there!

Monday, September 14, 2015

Vanessa Williams-The Rise and Fall and Rise of a Queen



I had to be about five years old when Vanessa Williams was crowned Miss America. Watching the Miss America pageant was a tradition in my household -that and watching the apple drop in Time Square on New Year's Eve. 

I remember my parents cheering and shouting about the 'first black Miss America'! They ooo'd and awe'd about how beautiful she was during the pageant. They talked about her poise and how she killed the talent competition with her beautiful singing voice.

I also remember the scandal that soon followed. At the time, I didn't understand the full details, but I remember someone saying something about "bad pictures" that she had taken in college.  I remember thinking how unfair that sounded, but it wasn't until later in life did I get to see the real picture. There were a lot of racist people upset about a black woman being crown "Miss America".  They dug until they found the "dirty photos", which really were photos taken for artistic purposes-not pornographic.

After the 'scandal', Vanessa Williams took the R&B world by storm. She wasn't just a mediocre singer, she had a very successful singing career.  It seemed as though she didn't miss a step.  I remember thinking how brave she was. Later in her career, she began acting in movies and TV shows (Soul Food, Hoodlum, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and many more).  She also had major beauty endorsements.  She could have decided to life a life of obscurity, instead she proved that she didn't need anyone to be successful. She let her talent pave the way.

My dad called me last night after seeing the Miss America Pageant CEO apologize to Vanessa.  I must admit I was surprisingly emotional about it, but more so inspired.  I hope that the pageants and talent showcases that I will host under my new venture Dynasty Gems will also serve as a platform for young girls in the community.

Perhaps the girls will chose to compete in pageants as means to win scholarship money throughout college.  Maybe one of them will be crowned the next Miss America.  Perhaps one of them will gain the confidence to be the next Mayor of the city! Perhaps will gain the confidence to be an entertainer.  The possibilities are endless!

Cheers to a classy, talented woman-Vanessa Williams.  She carved the way for many women after her in the pageant and entertainment industry. Shout out to the Miss America Pageant for getting it right. Vanessa Williams in the MOST recognized and successful Miss America Queen of all times- black or white!

Funny fact... A couple of weeks ago, I found the above picture for Vanessa Williams while looking for pictures for my pageant and talent show website and saved it.  But today (after the apology) I can only find black and white pictures of her in her crown.  Pictures in color are now listed under "Vanessa Williams Miss America Scandal".  I just have to laugh. Even today they want to strip her of her dignity, but it is all in vain. We loved Vanessa then, and we love her now. You can't stop a train with a pinto!

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Freddie Gray Family Settles Lawsuit for $6.4 Million

Thank God! A glimmer of retribution to the family of Freddie Gray.

Click the link below to get the full details.


http://a.msn.com/r/2/AAe45sk?a=1&m=EN-US

Prosperity Park Properties -1st Annual Dynasty Gems Showcase Community Partner





Generosity and passion for the community is what separates local "businesses" from local heroes.  Dynasty Gems Pageant & Talent Showcase thanks Prosperity Park Properties for their constant contributions to the community-at-large and is honored to partner with them for the 1st Annual Dynasty Gems Showcase this December. 

Sir Charles Martin, Prosperity Park Properties' firm leader, is the very proud father of a teenage daughter and is an advocate for youth.  He frequently supports Historically Black Colleges & Universities FAMU and TSU, as well as, various churches whose purpose is to help form and mold today’s youth into tomorrow’s leaders.   

Not only is Martin an advocate for the youth, he recently came to the aid of the elderly-housing community Friendship Towers in Atlanta.  The facility has gone without air-conditioning and other major repairs for months.  Martin has participated in several rallies with other community activists to aid the residents at Friendship Towers. 

Martin who has a dual community investment strategy – properties and people.  In addition to its development activities, the firm makes various community investments via charitable donations and community advocacy in D. C., Baltimore, P. G. County, Maryland, Memphis, and Atlanta.

Prosperity Park Properties, LLC is a private real estate development firm specializing in acquiring distressed real estate assets of all types (single-family, condos, land, apartments, and commercial retail properties), re-positioning the properties with renovations or tear-downs to new construction, then selling, renting, and leasing those assets for the company’s own account.  The firm owns assets in several states and is set to open its newest office in Atlanta in January, 2016.  

Prosperity Park Properties, LLC is on the web at www.p3dc.com. To reach Mr. Martin call 404.444.6163.

Monday, September 7, 2015

ESPA Theatre partners with Dynasty Gems Pageant & Talent Showcase



Eagles Soar Performing Arts Theatre (ESPA) has partnered with us for the 1st Annual Dynasty Gems Showcase. They share a devotion to the Arts as well as a passion for the Youth.

ESPA's founder Zakiya Williams has been making her mark on stage and film for many years through her acting, writing, and producing credits. Williams is most recognized for her role "Tina" in Tyler Perry's 2002 Madea's Family Reunion.

Aside from her onstage accolades, Williams is a star in the community for teaching professional acting and dance skills to her students each summer. We thank ESPA Theatre for making an impact in the lives of Youth everyday and we are honored to have them play an integral part in this event!

Contact 404-447-3396
camp@espatheatre.com
#repost #share #support

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Talib Kweli Raises $100k for Ferguson Defense Fund

Shout out to Talib Kweli for making major moves towards facility change for our community. He raised $100k for the Ferguson Defense Fund to help aid protestors who have been arrested in Ferguson.

We salute you!!!!! Click the link below for the full story!


Talib Kweli Raises $100k for Ferguson Defense Fund


Thursday, September 3, 2015

Hip-Hop Gives Back Foundation-Dynasty Gems 2015 Community Partner




Matching efforts to uplift the youth with Dynasty Gems Pageant & Talent Showcase, Hip-Hop Gives Back Foundation and HipHopGivesBack.com will be a Winter 2015 Participant in the event set to be held in December 2015. 

HipHopGivesBack.com promotes media education and awareness, highlights contributions to the community from the Hip-Hop Industry at-large, and demonstrates charity by giving to those less fortunate.  HHGB's charitable efforts through their Hip-Hop Gives Back Foundation, are reaching the youth and making a difference. 

Their most recent efforts dubbed "hashtag" Minorities in Media (#MinoritiesInMedia), has already reached Grady High School and Charles Drew Charter School students in Atlanta, Ga.  The talk-back panel gives music industry professionals and teens the opportunity to exchange dialog regarding issues that affect the community-at-large.  In the most recent panel, students shared their thoughts about police brutality, images in the media, and how they can make a impact. 

Hip-Hop Gives Back Foundation was also very busy last Winter providing food, toys, and resources to families in need nationwide.  Giving both locally and to a family in Arizona who found their website online and reached out in their time of need. The statement from their website sums up their objective.

HipHopGivesBack.com Statement:

After many years of Hip-Hop culture and its community bearing the burden of blame of deteriorating and demoralizing the world, HipHopGivesBack.com will be the premier catalyst committed to cultivating the awareness of the positive efforts, endeavors, and accomplishments of Hip-Hop Culture and its communities.

Dynasty Gems thanks you for your past efforts and future contributions to the youth and community!

HipHopGivesBack.com
Hip-Hop Gives Back Foundation Link

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Bring Back The Talent Show!!!!


I remember when a local organizations or even just a couple of parents would plan fun things for kids in the community to do. Whether it was block parties or wiener roasts. It was something fun and safe for the kids.  More importantly it showcased support for the youth.

It gave the talented kids in the neighborhood a chance to shine and compete in something other than sports.  Everyone in school knew who the best singers and dancers were.  Everyone knew who was the funniest person in the class. 

With my new venture (hosting youth events), I don't promise fame and fortune, but I do promise to give our kids an outlet to shine. If only for one night!  If you or anyone you know has a talented child: sing, dance, comedy, majic tricks, play an instrument- you name it! Register them into Dynasty Gems Pageant & Talent Showcase!

We want to create a fun family environment geared towards uplifting our youth! Visit my website today and help us BRING BACK THE TALENT SHOW!!!

We are currently seeking:

CONTESTANTS****CONTESTANTS****CONTESTANTS
Dynasty Babies: 6 months to 1 years old
Dynasty Kids: 2 - 4 years old
Dynasty Kids: 5 - 10 years old
Dynasty Teens: 11-17 years old
Dynasty College/Miss: 18-21 years old

To assist in making this event great! Please contact venusclarkesp14@gmail.com or visit www.dynastygems.org