IT'S ALMOST TIME...Nu Xi Zeta 6th Annual Spring Luncheon!

Before I tell you all you need to know about Nu Xi Zeta chapter's luncheon happening this Saturday, April 27th, I must provide a disclaimer. I am totally stoked, very biased and finding it difficult to hide my excitement. So please excuse the many caps, exclamation points and smiley faces :)). I joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in 2005 while in college and am thrilled to have finally found a new Zeta home with the Nu Xi Zeta Chapter of Alexandria, VA. These finer women are movers, shakers and world takers! And the luncheon is the first major chapter event since I joined this Spring :).



Nu Xi Zeta Chapter 2012

 You ever know someone that has accomplished so much and you think 'WOW,' then they go on to tell you about 20 more things and you just can't believe one person could do so much? That is how I feel about Nu Xi Zeta as a whole. As if hosting a luncheon at the Army Navy Country Club for distinguished guests such as Congressman Jim Moran, Mayor William D. Euille, Ms. Corporate America and Miss Black Virginia USA isn't enough, Nu Xi Zeta will also honor a Woman and Man of the Year!!! 

The Woman and Man of the Year honors are bestowed upon two individuals who have made significant contributions to our local community and the nation. The 2013 Woman of the Year Honoree is Ms. Karen Arrington, Founder of Miss Black USA. She has rendered more than 100,000 hours of community service through coaching, mentoring, and philanthropic work across the globe. The 2013 Man of the Year Honoree is Mr. Earl Stafford. He created and funded The People’s Inaugural Project which brought together over 400 of the nations underserved and marginalized to witness and participate in the historic inauguration of President Obama.


Woman of the Year, Ms. Karen Arrington and Man of the Year, Mr. Earl Stafford

BUT WAIT I'm not done yet! Nu Xi Zeta has gone above and beyond by also providing a Direct Community Support Award to The Virginia Leadership Institute, which has trained over 200 black leaders who seek political advancement through the electoral process at all levels of government. IN ADDITION the Nu Xi Zeta HAVE Foundation, the chapter’s 501c (3) arm, has awarded scholarships to high school seniors who will be recognized at the luncheon.

I'm still not done :) :). I saved the BEST for last. This year's event will be emceed by meteorologist and activist, Ms. Rhonda Lee!!! If you don't know who she is, you SHOULD! Rhonda has been featured in Essence magazine and has appeared on The Steve Harvey show since she was fired from a Shrevport, LA tv station after responding to a negative comment on Facebook about her short, natural hair. Since (and I'm sure before) her unwarranted dismissal she has been a crusader for social change. I cannot wait to meet this dynamic woman!


Meteorologist and Activist, Ms. Rhonda Lee

To learn more about Nu Xi Zeta chapter, please visit http://www.nuxizeta.org/. Also, STAY TUNED for my post event wrap up ;).

<3 Amina Lillie

Building Hope Inc. Tea and Coronation

As a Queen I have experienced many types of events and service projects, but none of them have made me go "Awwwwwwww” more than the Tea and Coronation hosted by Building Hope Inc. Let me start from the beginning...Building Hope Inc. is a non-profit organization founded by Coressa Williams with a mission to make a difference in the lives of others by offering a positive environment and lifestyle. The organization assists those in need with housing, employment, furniture vouchers, and other supportive services (http://www.buildinghopeinc.org/). 

 

As if that isn’t enough, Building Hope Inc. invited me to participate in the launch of a brand new component of their program, Princess for A Day! The concept behind Princess for a Day was to make little girls from the communities served by Building Hope Inc. feel that they are special and beautiful in her own unique way. The girls were not called by their regular names that day…every name had a Princess in front of it. Of course I waltz in, introduced myself as Queen Amina and got lots of ohhhsss and ahhhhs.

Seeing a room full of little girls, from 2 to 12 years, was just the cutest thing I have seen in a while. Especially considering they all wore mini sashes similar to mine and fluffy dresses I only wish I could still fit into! The program rolled out smoothly as I spoke to the girls and their family members for a few minutes about the importance of loving yourself and appreciating being different, instead of trying to fit in. After my spiel which separated them and the major spread of lunch and sweets…I crowned each little girl individually and sent them on their way to a mini photoshoot.

 

Upon my departure, it hit me how truly moved and appreciative I was of Mrs. Coressa Williams and Building Hope Inc. As a child, I had opportunities and priviledges that these little girls do not have. Yet I still got choked up at the thought of how much even my self-esteem could have been lifted by such a program. I can only imagine what it meant to the 44 precious princesses in attendance that day. I definitely look forward to working with Building Hope Inc. in the future and attending the Tea & Coronation next year!

<3 Amina Lillie