Her Journey To Now...A Blog: Rock Out With Me Atlanta

Loved. Empowered. Motivated. Amazed. Are just a few words I can use to describe last weekend. Today is Wednesday and the effects are still lingering...that's a great thing when it comes to me!! Ok Peeps, I'll fill you in...

I had the honor to attend/photograph April Daniels' & Ebony's Rock Out with Me event. For those of you that may have been in a comma for the last few years and don't know who April Daniels is, let me help you out. April Daniels is the co-star and bestie of Tamar Braxton on WE TVs Tamar & Vince Show. Oh her...you say...well let me crack your face with this. She's not only the wife of songwriter extraordinaire LaShawn Daniels and mother of 3 boys, this superwoman is a Philanthropist, entrepreneur, and fashionista (yes and she didn't disappoint either)!! So there... pick up your face, apologize, and let's move on, shall we! Love you, mean it!

Anywho, April partnered with Ebony Magazine to host her Rock Out With Me campaign here in Atlanta. April created the campaign to restore unity amongst women. We all know there is some discord within our gender, and thanks to social media, reality tv, and other media outlets, it "seems" to be more prevalent within the African American community.

The event started on Friday on the campus of Clark Atlanta University with a celebrity panel discussing topics such as the perception of women on reality tv. It was a hot topic that Wendy Williams could appreciate. The panel included: April Daniels, Christina Johnson (ATL Exes), Brely Evans (Dream Girls, Being Mary Jane), Treiva Williams (TV producer, Mary Mary, R&B Diva), Catherine Brewton (BMI Vice President), Princess Banton-Lofters (Creator of Real Housewives of Atlanta), LaRonda Sutton (Director, Mayor's office of Film & Entertainment for the City of Atlanta), & Monique Rodriguez (Owner of Meille Organics). It was moderated my Ebony's Director of Entertainment, Tia Brown. An additional treat, whom was not on the panel but did speak, was Leah Daniels-Butler, Casting Director of Fox's hit show "Empire".

The discussions were done by a credible panel of women that know the ins and outs of the entertainment business. They not only discussed the perception of women on reality shows, they also discussed life goals and what some of them had to and still are doing to achieve them. The audience of students both female & male was attentive and had real questions to asked during Q&A. I didn't feel as if the panelist was giving just blanket statements, they was giving this crowd the real deal truth. It was a great turnout. So much so, that it garnered a few statements from a surprised audience member...Peter Thomas, yes the very husband of Cynthia Bailey from RHOA. He was there showing his support to the show's creator. He came in mighty smooth because I worked the red carpet and he wasn't on it. However, I spotted the chocolate man with the gray beard while I was setting up to record the discussions, asked if I could take his pictured and he graciously complied. Thanks Peter!!

The campaign wrapped with a brunch that included shopping & pampering at 103 West Paces Ferry. It was kept secret from the public for obvious reasons. The attendees were the only ones privy to the address. The atmosphere was of girlfriends getting together for some food, talk, shopping, & pampering on a gorgeous summer day. They had various venders such as PZI Jeans & Haircandy. Ten minute massages were given, along with mini manis. The food looked delicious and the sister to sister discussion they had was amazing. Many tears flowed as the "girlfriends" shared their various stories. Joining the "girlfriend" group for the day was Tameka Foster (formerly Raymond) Fashionista & creator of Kyles World. Who also opened up about the perception others had of her because of her marriage to Usher Raymond. What I learned from that day is that Ms Foster is really funny. The perception from others about her, to me, is way off. Which is why I'm grateful that April had this campaign to snatch off the blinders amongst women and to allow us to embrace each other and allow each other to be who we are without judgement.

All in all peeps, it was an event I will never forget and one I am determined to build on. I agree with what Brely Evans says during one of her red carpet interviews, "This is an opportunity to go beyond just speaking about supporting one another, but to do something, past today." She's right! I plan to take what I've learned and the connections I've made to continue to help strengthen the bond amongst women. If we all embrace each other we can and will change the world. So I salute you April Daniels for your bold move to change the world!

If you would like to learn more about the Rock Out With Me campaign and for partnership opportunities please visit, www.rockoutwithme.com

Don't worry peeps I do have some pics for you to see from my weekend below! You can also view the Rock Out With Me gallery in it's entirety on my website www.untamedroyalty.com under Clients' Gallery!! Be Blessed!! Smooches!! L