NEW YORK CITY – May 10, 2012 – Held at The Altman Building, the Echoing Green event presented the next big superstars in changing the world with guest speaker, Chelsea Clinton.  Dedicated to Echoing Green’s mission to unleashing next generation talent to solve the world’s biggest problems, the Big Bold Benefit featured 60-second pitches from Echoing Green’s 2012 Fellowship Finalists.

Chelsea Clinton, along with Echoing Green President (Cheryl Dorsey), marked the commemorative event with remarks inspiring vision, passion,  and driving change reminding us to commit to building a more safer and equitable world, as we raise our children and grandchildren. Through Echoing Green, Cheryl has built an eco system among fellows and those who have touched and gratified the world by motivating others around the world to use and impact the ideas and translate them into work. Chelsea Clinton was proud to be among the fellows and guests, and she voiced her support for the organizations and its 2012 Echoing Green finalists.

Congrats to the top 2012 Echoing Green Finalists

Avanti Fellows
Program Area: Education
Location of Impact: India

AYZH Health and Livelihood Pvt Ltd
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: India

BLISS
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: Pakistan

Cactus
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: Israel

Collectif Contre le Contrôle au Faciès
Program Area: Civil & Human Rights
Location of Impact: France

Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement (CIVIC)
Program Area: Civil & Human Rights
Location of Impact: United States

Devintel
Program Area:Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact:Global

Edthena
Program Area: Education
Location of Impact: United States

ElectNext
Program Area: Public Service & Civic Engagement
Location of Impact: United States

Farm Commons
Program Area: Food & Agriculture
Location of Impact: United States

Feeding Forward
Program Area: Food & Agriculture
Location of Impact: United States

Frontier Markets
Program Area: Environment
Location of Impact: India

HEALTHY FOOD SYSTEMS
Program Area: Food & Agriculture
Location of Impact: Kenya

Hosh media
Program Area: Public Service & Civic Engagement
Location of Impact: Pakistan

IDinsight
Program Area:Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact:Global

Jana Care
Program Area: Health & Healthcare
Location of Impact: India

Jhatkaa.org
Program Area: Public Service & Civic Engagement
Location of Impact: India

Justice Project Pakistan
Program Area: Civil & Human Rights
Location of Impact: Pakistan

Leadership Through Empowerment, Action, And Dialogue Inc.
Program Area: Public Service & Civic Engagement
Location of Impact: United States

Legal Peace Corps
Program Area: Civil & Human Rights
Location of Impact: The Gambia

LocalDM
Program Area: Environment
Location of Impact: Kenya

Medha
Program Area: Education
Location of Impact: India

myAgro
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: Mali

OkCopay, Inc
Program Area: Health & Healthcare
Location of Impact: United States

One Degree
Program Area: Education
Location of Impact: United States

Regalii
Program Area:Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: Latin America

Re-Nuble, Inc.
Program Area: Environment
Location of Impact:United States

Resolve Network
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: Democratic Republic of Congo

SaveLIFE Foundation
Program Area: Health & Healthcare
Location of Impact: India

SponsorChange.org
Program Area: Public Service & Civic Engagement
Location of Impact: United States

Springboard Collaborative
Program Area: Education
Location of Impact: United States

STG International
Program Area: Environment
Location of Impact: Lesotho

Stockbox Grocers
Program Area: Food & Agriculture
Location of Impact: United States

Think Unlimited
Program Area: Education
Location of Impact: Jordan

Vera Solutions
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: Global

Vive Responsable
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: Mexico

Vivus Renewables
Program Area: Food & Agriculture
Location of Impact: Ghana

XinfuGo Group
Program Area: Poverty Alleviation & Economic Development
Location of Impact: China

Think Big. Be Bold. Drive Change. Echoing Green is a nonprofit global social venture fund that identifies, invests in, and supports some of the world’s best emerging social entrepreneurs – society’s change agents. They believe human capital is the most important asset class, and they understand the difficulties faced by social innovators who challenge the status quo with bold ideas for a better world. Echoing Green invests deeply in these next generation change agents, as well as works to create an ecosystem around them that supports and celebrates social innovation as a high-impact strategy for social change.

Learn more about Echoing Green.
Connect via Facebook (Echoing Green) and Twitter
Follow the trend #EG2012Fellowship

Photos courtesy of Echoing Green

NEW YORK CITY – May 3, 2012 – The Giving Is Glamorous charity benefit brought together inspiring women for an amazing evening of charitable giving, beauty and empowerment.  Over 200 guests including, philanthropists, socialites, media personalities and fashionistas graced The Midtown Loft event space (as seen and featured on: The Apprentice, Housewives of Atlanta, HGTV’s Design Star, Chef Roble & CO. and Reuters on Fifth) to honor and pay tribute to survivors of domestic  violence and human trafficking. The City Girl Beauty Project (CGBP), founded by Andrea D. Charles, and was host to the unveiling of the first ever CGBP survivor honoree, Margarita Martinez, a woman nominated by her peers whose determination, courage, ambition and fortitude have made a lasting impact and impression on those close to her as well as her community and the CGBP board.

The event was sponsored and supported by Violence Intervention Program (VIP), Celebrity Chef: Chris Nirschel, 311 Graphics, The NY Film Exposure Network, Yagolicious Cosmetics, Mrs. Suffolk County NY Michele Herger, Cherry Girls, Champagne for Life, and Cognac Ferrand’s Plantation Rum and Rayuela NYC, as well as Lifestyle + Charity magazine, the memorable evening included live music, fine wine, specialty cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction, mini-makeovers and manicures, and lots of love and support to strong brave women who have endured the unthinkable.

Hosted by Tanika Ray, known for her quick and witty on‐air banter, guests were not only entertained, but also inspired. Ray’s hosting credits include Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds red carpet premier, the Essence 5th Annual Black Women in Hollywood red carpet celebration and HGTV’s Design Star. Ray is also a contributor to the Today Show, Showbiz Tonight, Larry King Live, Joy Behar Show, EXTRA and VH1.

The honoree of the night, Margarita Martinez: a survivor of domestic violence was introduced as a hush fell over the room. Her moving and heartfelt speech told of her struggles as a victim. “My experience with domestic violence brought me multiple emergency room and hospital visits, physical and sexual abuse, emotional pain, bruises, fear for my life and my children’s safety, anxiety, low-self-worth and hearing loss in my right ear. I also avoided looking in the mirror many years.”  She went on to explain how in her home country of Mexico, domestic abuse is not seen as a problem. Looking for a way to cope with her situation and to try and find a way to feel better about herself, she started to create jewelry by hand. “I would design the jewelry based on my emotions and my feelings. The colors, the shapes: everything was a reflection of me. I felt a sense of pride. When I would wear my designs, I felt beautiful again, especially when I wore my favorite design which I called Maggie” she said.

Attendees walked away touched, and ultimately inspired as Giving Is Glamorous promises to focus on honoring survivors and heroic women for their bravery and ability to take negative circumstances and turn them into positives.

Founded in 2010 by Andrea D. Charles, City Girl Beauty Project (CGPB) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire and acknowledge heroism among survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in the most beautiful, glamorous and honorable way possible. At CGBP, though life may bring hardships, we can still move forward and celebrate the true beauty of life – by living it. Originally from Grenada WI, Andrea D. Charles, featured by ComplexD Magazine UK as a “heroic beauty” in their “Women of Strength” issue, is a sought after make-up artist based in New York City where she has painted the faces of entertainment personalities such as Star Jones, Gabriel Union, Tyra Banks, Sean Combs, Bill Cosby, Tanika Ray, and Demi Moore. By hosting Giving is Glamorous and various philanthropic projects, Charles hopes to inspire and empower women around the world. To learn more about City Girl Beauty Project, please visit http://www.citygirlbeautyproject.org

Human Trafficking
To report an instance of suspected trafficking, please call the HOTLINE: 1.888.3737.888

Domestic Violence
To report an instance of domestic violence, please call the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Charity

NEW YORK- May 9, 2012- The historic Plaza Hotel was a picturesque backdrop for the 58^th Annual Spirit of Achievement Luncheon hosted by the National Women’s Division of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  NYC’s most prominent women came out to support the ground breaking medical research of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  Emcee Willie Geist of MSNBC entertained guests for the fourth consecutive year while guests enjoyed a delicious and healthy lunch. This event raises roughly $400,000 each year to support the tireless efforts of Albert Einstein scientists who are working to advance studies in breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers.

This year’s honorees were Roxanne Palin, Mark H. Einstein, M.D., M.S., and Lorraine Schwartz.  Roxanne Palin, a longtime board member of Einstein’s National Women’s Division and a vice-president of its New York Chapter, was presented with the esteemed Lizette H. Sarnoff Award for Volunteer Service.  Roxanne was co-chair of the NY Chapter’s Family Day Carnival in the Hamptons for over 10 years.  Her dedication and creativity helped to raise millions of dollars and create the premier summer event in the Hampton’s.

Mark H. Einstein, M.D., M.S. is the director of clinical research for women’s health and gynecologic oncology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center.  Mark is a brilliant researcher whose work is vital to the women’s division.  He has seen first hand that most cancer treatments are a battle and a tremendous physical and emotional struggle for patients.  This reality drives him to work for better screening, prevention, and innovative treatments so that all patients can celebrate survival.

Lorraine Schwartz is an internationally renowned jewelry designer whose exquisite pieces have been worn by royal families, heads of states, socialites, and celebrities around the world. She uses vibrant diamonds, jades, emeralds, and rubies to make modern statement pieces.

After the awards, the stage became a posh runway for Randi Rahm’s Couture Collection.  Models also wore Lorraine Schwartz’s Luxury Jewelry Collection.

The National Women’s Division of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine was founded in 1953 to help advance the college’s mission of transforming human health through cutting edge medical research and medical education.  Their passion and dedication have provided volunteer leadership for Einstein and support for research and medical education programs.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University is one of the nation’s most renowned centers for biomedical research and medical education.  Since 1972 it has been home to the Albert Einstein Cancer Center.  Dedicated scientists are working to prevent, treat, and cure breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers so that no mother, wife, sister, daughter, or friend has to suffer.

Learn more about Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Connect via Facebook and Twitter
Photos courtesy of J. Torres Photography.

Red, white, and BLUE inspired accessory for Memorial Day!

Introducing the limited-edition Miracle Balloon Bracelet, symbolizing the beauty of making miracles happen.The Miracle Balloon Bracelet is available at Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma boutiques nationwide, as well as on their websites and on BostonProper.com. Chico’s and Boston Proper are selling blue bracelets and WHBM and Soma are selling red.

Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma (sister companies) are official corporate partners of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, a nonprofit that raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America. When a bracelet is purchased, the funds raised stay local and go to the CMN Hospital for that area. CMNHospitals.org.  COST: $20 ($10 of that goes to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals)

Learn more about The Miracle Balloon Bracelet
Available in retail stores such as Chico’s, White House Black Market and Soma ($20)