VOTING..a MUST do, especially this Tuesday, Nov 5th. I made sure to vote early. I wanted to be one of the women who stepped early, so that was my Halloween moment, pushing the energy forward. Those moments mentioned above in history were just that and similar rules and laws could be tomorrow. Power of our voices and the importance of voting in a world that often tries to silence us. Casting our ballots is a power act of defiance and self affirmation. I would say in the past “It just matters that you vote.” But this election has enormous weight that could reverse the progressive road that this country has been on. Roe vs Wade could be just the beginning. Legality is a matter of Power, NOT Justice. Great statement. So please VOTE intentionally.
The wonderful experience of GucciCruise show at an extraordinary location in Rome the @museiincomuneroma. Head to toe in Gucci, my mix, my style. Thank you @Gucci #guccicruise20 @alessandro_michele @beniaminomarini #changemakerinaction #globalchangemaker
Salaam to all…it’s been quite sometime and finding the time to sit steady and share. As most of you know, I was developing the documentary “Invisible Beauty” in recent years and then last year in 2023, we were successfully sharing it with the world, which demanded my amazing energy which I gave. It was full on. This year is active but not like 2023, we have space to add other creative breaths. And mine was back to my Moroccan hideout and do just that hide, sleep and be lazy for a month with the support of my dearest. I appreciate the loneliness of time drifting with no social commitments. Only to look forward to a late evening scooter ride to change the mood and sit in an eatery. But most dining was within our dwelling. A month of much needed rest and self kindness. 5 days after my blissful sojourn, I returned home to go to the hospital for a full knee replacement. It was planned. Another reason to rest while away as I knew what I was returning to and I was sure to prepare the body further by everyday twice a day I did prehab exercises. Thinking I had to go in “gangsta and come out gangsta”. That be me. I am now in recovery since July 11th. It’s been a journey…and challenging at times. No matter how quickly I progressed after surgery and bared little pain…the recovery is something to write home about. The healing process is not so quick. The knee is not like the hip. Thank goodness I have good hips. The image above is the elegance, posture and stance that I long to acquire again, as I have been losing along the way. That’s my simple objective, for now. I may get busy being and doing other things, but that is the objective. “Invisible Beauty” is still in motion. More schools, colleges, universities screenings coming up this fall and into 2025. The energy required to do more then nothing is a lot. Love being focused on self. 🙏🏾 @invisiblebeautyfilm #invisiblebeautyfilm @rakanrugsobjects @frederic.tcheng Thank you @hatterist
This past week I learned… *Madiba would have been 101yrs old *53,190 are imprisoned in US immigrant detention centers and ”45” is not getting enough backlash from sounding like a bigot. That it’s been 20 years since the death of Carolyn Bessette and John Kennedy Jr. Carolyn was a sweet friend of mine. We met when she worked for Calvin Klein as an in-house publicist. My office Bethann Mgmt Co. was at 36 N Moore St. a model agency. Though I was close to Calvin, Carolyn made my life easier and was helpful to my business. When Carolyn met John, she quit her job and moved in with him. John had taken residency on N. Moore. She wanted me to meet him, we did. Some days going to the office in the mornings I would see John, he would wave. One morning getting out of my convertible Volkswagen Beetle Bug, John walks by and says “Give her a call and wake her up”. Does she have an appt, I asked, No he said, just wake her up. I did. She and I would laugh. Somedays while in my office I would look up to see Caroline sitting outside on my platform loading zone. Waiting for me to notice and come out and talk. We would spend a little time catching up. I remember asking “how’s it going” ? Her answer “cats and dogs”. I smiled. A great answer to express a male and female getting familiar with each other. To this day…I use that expression in that manner with my thoughts of Carolyn. Such a blessing the love they had. He loved and protected her. Three days before the accident, I saw Carolyn up the street on N.Moore, she was low. She said John was having a tough time due to his cousin Anthony (Radziwill) was sick and dying who he was very close with. Spoke about 15 mins, they would be leaving in a few days to Martha Vineyard to a family wedding. She told me when they would get back, I told her I would already be in my home in Mexico. A long embrace and a promise on my return. Their plane that John was piloting was lost on their way to MV, Mass. and found days later, all dead including Carolyn’s sister. Devastated was I. Of cause this was a full on tragedy. Anyone who knew Carolyn knew a special soul and John was an exceptional young man. Truly two stars. A great lost. 🖤
This one hurt… It’s taken me two days to get here to acknowledge someone who I knew and adored. I learned that my friend had transition. I left NY knowing she had not been well, prepared to hear the news, not prepared when I heard it. I learned on Tuesday morning here in Marrakech. So that evening I had a couple of tequilas because the day had been too sad, poured some beer out in corner of the courtyard, and wished someone I had known for three decades a beautiful flight. Someone who believed in the fact that my story must be told. Toni would say..”if I was still in publishing there be no way you wouldn’t have a book published. You are are too important not to tell your story”. That was years before the last waves of my achievements that probably confirmed how she felt and knew. We met in the late 70’s early 80’s through Ed Love, young actor/ dancer and dear friend to us both, who passed away too young. Toni was brilliant as you all can attest to…seeing all the accolades the last two days has been more then I have seen for any contemporary, she has left a stream of quotes and written words beyond any other, in my humble opinion. Tribe of Baldwin and Maya. Her interviews let you know, she never held back, she had no fear. She knew who she was. She wanted me to know who I was. To write it, share it, get it out. Toni encouraged us all to tell the story you would like to read. She knew I lacked the confidence, yet she would laugh at the idea that I would hesitate and not perform what she considered my duty. Toni and I were very much a like when it came to keeping it real. We had no problem speaking our minds, or speaking about other people to each other. The laughter, especially her laugh. A tough time was when her home buried to the ground in late 80’s or early 90’s and her eldest son’s death in 2010. Not easy to lose a child. Toni was a single mom like me, like many of us. She never felt she did a great job, but who of us think we did ? It just works out. She did so very well in the work, and received the recognition. I will always keep her in my heart. And I will write the book, for me, for you, for her. 8/5/19 she joined the ancestors. 🖤
Reflecting on my time on earth and its results. As we grow, we learn, we experience and we respond to what life has offered. If you are full on in time, “fully grown”, how you see things now, oppose to how you might have seen them as a teenager or young adult differs. Experience, time, and wisdom, seems to be the defining factors. Surely for me, I recognize the patience I no longer have that I would have had ease to accept or perhaps even allow prior. In my early life I saw decency in every thing, would explain the actions of others to an acceptable place. Help other observers to try to see the good in the action of a scoundrel. I gained the nickname “mother Theresa” and “mayonnaise”. This being the Holy month of Ramadan it gifts you the opportunity to be introspective, this is the last week of that month. And if nothing more I want to recognize my time on earth and where I am today. To recognize how the action of others, not necessarily pointed at me, can offend me, to a place I lose respect. I need not tell them, I can live with it, realizing I don’t “like it or them”. My entire young life, I liked everyone. Even when I started my model agency in the 80’s I just dodged the emotions based on the not cool things that were done to challenge me or hurt my success. I didn’t turn the other cheek, I knew the mission and while being judged had no time to fixate. Most people would have had much to say. I was the target, I couldn’t. Even then I couldn’t judge or be angry it was more like surfing a wave. All to say the life now has found an observing eye and a voice to match. I want all who I love to be a certain way and those I don’t to be out of the way. Easy to want but it’s not up to me, unless you change your neighborhood, your environment your life and relationships. There lies the difference between youth and maturity. In your youth it’s not the choice to make. In maturity you can afford to make these decisions and accept the consequences of less being more. You have lived a life, who fits, stays. But somehow you are that same youth with the blessing of age, fortunate to have found your tribe. Queen you are, Teen you be.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kadeem!!! 🎂 To you and me…. Blessings that we both are well, still working, congrats on the new show, and for the day I gave birth to you, all deserve a cheer. This week I shared a sad memory. But the one I share today, is another memorable moment, but of joy. You as young Dwayne Wayne in this moment that if not already is cult, will be. “A Different World” made a great impact on our society and raised the bar for higher academic education. We all are so grateful to you for your participation in this original broadcast that so many actors had opportunity to play, so many writers to write, with talented producers and director (madame Allen) that sharpen their tools on great material to shape and master. Taking on social issues before any network shows, though they tried and try to claim it . ADW was first on so many levels. I remember this episode, not your personal finest moment to play, but it surely was ours, the audience. Thank you for giving us Dwayne. And for being that wonderful human from the very beginning until now. (I could complain, but why, it’s your birthday and others are watching) Grateful to those who conceived it and the broadcaster. So need to give credit where credit is do. #drbillcosby #carseywarner #nbc #debbieallen #castandcrewofadifferentworld @therealdebbieallen Thank you again. Happy Birthday with so much love and fondness. @kahmoshun. And y’all know I don’t do this. Some are shock…Bethann and Kadeem ?? Yep…Hardison. We be us.
Thinking of so many today as we acknowledge Gay Pride Week…though I chose to use a photo of our dear Keith Haring with Lysa Cooper who was so close to Keith, the photo marks a moment in time, the 80’s. We lost Keith in 1990 at the age of 32 to AIDS. Keith Haring represented a moment in time for so many reasons. It was Tina Chow who let me know that Keith was sick, she told me he would tell me and he did. He asked me to his home to have dinner, just he and I. And told me all. Sent me home with a painting that hangs on my wall today. He died months after. Knowing his fate, he worked tirelessly to the end. When he could no longer stand, he passed away three weeks later. Later we lost Tina as well, to AIDS. You say but she was heterosexual and a non-drug intravenous user, life has its bitter sweet moments. We lost so many and though I cannot name all those that touched me personally, I acknowledge, Joe McDonald, Angelo Donghia, Clovis Ruffin, Way Bandy, Luis Galindo, Angelo Colon, Bobby Breslau, Victor Hernández, Perry Ellis, Keezia Keeble, DuDu, and Willi Smith. There were so many that AIDS took away from us. Many, but those I named above had an impact on me personally. The disease taught me a lot about the “here and now”. I will always remember each of them and think of them out loud, as I share and think about my life. I was one of the first to get tested for the HIV virus. That was when you had to wait 2-3 weeks and return for the secret reveal (80’s). My family and those in my office thought I was crazy to do the test. Why stress yourself with that anxiety of uncertainty ? But I had “been around the block” a time or two, and wanted to know my status to then walk the “straight and narrow”. A lot of us for whatever reason survived. I never thought “lucky”, but perhaps to remain, to remember and let it be known who was here before and the life we lived. Because it was a great time. And the freedom that came with it, great as it was, there hidden was a killer virus waiting to strike. #prideweek #actup #stonewall #aids #hiv #awareness #protection #stillnotover.
Met Ball 2019… My call time last year 6:15p . Dressed by and at the table of @dapperdanharlem. It was the first time a table was hosted by a black designer in behalf of @Gucci who was also a co-chair of the opening of the Camp exhibit Our table was so eclectic, from @karliekloss to @frenchmontana to @ashleygraham to @omarihardwickofficial to @morereginahall @bevysmith @jelaniday and of course Dap himself. A very special night and as French and I were sashaying out at the end of the night, we got grab before stepping out of the museum for another photograph which was later titled “Black Camp” and gifted by @aurorajames. Can you recognized who was captured in this shot ? Must say, I like who is being invited to the ball these last 6-8 yrs, popular culture racially is leaving its mark. Nice for me to see since I started attending with Ms Vreeland who originally headed the Costume Institute. For years it didn’t reflect what was first initiated and different under Ms. Wintour but I must say it brings me joy to see who is representing the audience in attendance now. If you are making a mark in art, music, tv/film, fashion, etc. and of color, you are invited, but of course under the choice of the director of the evening. It’s giving the Met Ball a whole flair of style and energy. It was my second time under Ms Wintour and perhaps 3-4 times times under Ms.Vreeland. If I never go again, I am happy who will be in attendance…”carry on children and represent”. #metball #dapperdan #gucci
Diversity in fashion isn’t a new topic, it’s an old one in a book that will undoubtedly have many chapters. But that first chapter was undoubtedly penned by @bethannhardison. We kept it real, really real, on the Friends & Family podcast. Full episode at the link in bio, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Good thought but in today’s climate that’s barely possible any longer. My mind goes to the mass shootings of recent in the USA. Being far away doesn’t change my emotional reaction to each one. One after another… I wish our leader of the free world presented differently to his audience so it wouldn’t seem to be suggesting to take the law into their own hands. Or for some to think there is something to “take back” or for a “minority” to fear and need to cage and control. It’s not easy to have a conversation with the leader of the free world, if you are not in agreement. That’s shown in WH news conferences, political rallies, meetings with opposing delegates. If a conversation that matters cannot be held on a world stage that others will see, what practice is being put into play for the “average Joe” ? What example is being practice to learn restraint, respect and to listen ? So now, before even a conversation, someone drives a great distance with a gun to just shoot people they never met, let alone a conversation. They are reverting back to no tolerance. If it disturbs you then disrupt. Be brave to start a conversation…You cannot have a difference of opinion, often the response is to attack not converse. Conversation that matter, ones that can get treated the same especially if you are courageous enough to have on any social media platform. But that’s a dangerous sport. Best to try it with intellectuals, students of academia, or children. In those cases you have a better chance of survival. After all said, there is nothing better than having a conversation that matters. Walking away knowing some thing was heard, understood and perhaps a difference was made. But it’s come down to “picking your battles” cause it depends on the “neighborhood”, who you are talking to. But no matter, be brave enough to share that point of view, that could help shift a community ultimately perhaps society.
Happy Fourth of July to all who consciously observe the purpose of this American holiday. Its Independence Day. But more recently, slowly our personal independence and privacy is being tampered with. Take time to watch Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez here…re: Facial recognition data. But also be aware of “Deepfakes” a video app which House Rep. Yvette Clark (Brooklyn) is trying to get a bill pass that stops this technology that allows the user to distort the truth, confuse the public and make us question what is real and what is fake. It can create falsehood, without your consent. Speaker Pelosi was a target, misled viewers to believe she had been been drinking before a press conference. And lets not ignore those Immigration Detentions of all things…. If these are not clear signs of America going in a direction of concern and how much we need to be consciously aware of whats going on that we are sleeping on, it’s truly “Hola” time. Independence is not the word I am thinking of today, unless to recognition ours is slipping. So eat and drink up, do that 4th of July thing. But please be uncomfortable with what’s happening to our United States of America. Between our political administration and technology, we need to keep our heads up. Independence feels slippery. Meanwhile Happy July 4th. #awareness #aintallsohappy
Ramadan had a wonderful end. And then you slowly learn of the violence, killings, raping of girls and women, the continued destruction of the Sudan. The shame of a military driven to harm its citizens as they demonstrate peacefully. The shutdown of the internet as they privately punish people, burn homes, gang-raping demonstrators and medical personnel. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SUDAN PLEASE LET OTHERS KNOW…. We must not remain quite as this continues. Image by :Moroccan artist/photographer @mouslamrabat @dr.azra (henna) Thank you for the images in support and against these atrocities. 🙏🏾🇸🇩
Well here I am getting back into writing and starting with you. Today is my official birthday the 29th of September. I don’t truly identify with that date, for me personally it’s September 30th. Some of you might remember my explanation about my mother who told me it was the 30th for the first 12 yrs of my life. Went to live with my father and contradicted her and proved with certificate of birth that it was in deed the 29th. UGH ! I told him at 12 yrs old, that I would only celebrate the 30th, he said “your choice”. Here in lies the indigenous native name given me by my literary editor “two times” due to having two birth dates to celebrate. It sounded so native that I embraced it. But I still identify with September 30th. If you ask me my date of birth, it’s always the 30th Until it’s a legal question, then I must comply. Then I discovered the above..and I identified immediately with being born on the 29th day. And all said is accurately describing me. Except, I am not so good on “spotting lies a mile away”…my compassionate side is far too influential. I would always believe anything that came out of someone’s mouth. And when I was question about what was said, I would say “why would they lie ?”. That was my youth at play, always believing in others, no matter. And I was still born on the 29th. But now older, I believe in the characteristic of lying. I see it blatantly happening, I know and watch people do it, casually. I lied to my father and my husband. Once or twice each. Both are gone. No one or nothing would get me to lie now or before. I have no fear and nothing to lose by telling it like it it is or was. I must confess I was impressed with the characteristics of those born on those days. I identified. Though many people recognize my birthday due to the internet, right or wrong, it feels the need to give information about you to the world, and the day you were born is a detail offered. So today and today only I embrace the 29th, being that girl/woman who “questions who I truly am”, “has no patience for bullshit” and “see both sides of the story” and all else said. Happy Birth date to me…and tomorrow on the 30th, I will have my moment. 💜
Eid Mubarak Ramadan Kareem As the Holy Month of fasting comes to an end…I recognize immediately that I will miss the daily ritual of abstinence and the results from the fast. The clarity of spirit and mind. The lightness of your physical self. Now with and for a different purpose to try to remain “lighter”. May we remain firmly on our righteous path. This year is special because I spent the last week of Ramadan here in Marrakech, Morocco. Last year I spent the first week. Of course the time I am spending here is creating a clearer understanding of where life might be taking me. I have been fond of my life’s journey so far and blessed to still be relevant to and for so many. During this day I will thank all that I am grateful for and to. We each should stop and seriously count our blessings and bless those who make our life easier. I have a list…surely you do too. I am appreciative of being recognized but appreciate more of those who recognize me for this place on earth. May I continue on this gentle path of righteousness. The best to everyone, to our families and friends, as we recognize our value to each other. #abetterworldallaround
On this #MetGala day, it feels only right to spotlight a true fashion icon and trailblazer. Legendary changemaker @bethannhardison reminds us that leadership isn’t about perfection, it’s about purpose. 💪🏽 Bethann, whose impact on fashion and inclusion is unmatched, encourages us to stop comparing, release the pressure, and lead with balance, self-compassion, and clarity. 💬 Want to go deeper? Click the #linkinbio to read our editorial featuring insights from Daisy Auger Dominguez on what makes a remarkable woman leader and how community and mentorship light the way for the next generation. 💥 #MAKERS #WomenWhoLead #LeadByExample #Leadership #MAKERSWomen #MetGala #FashionIcon #BethannHardison
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH !!! Appreciate the serious words of mi hijo and our Dwayne Wayne from “A Different World” #ADWforever #consciusness #bhm
Felize Ano Nuevo / Happy New Year !!! This was a difficult post to start. But these days posting period for me is difficult. There are distractions and sharing in this manner is not my go to mode..obviously. But once again I received news of a death that stop me in my tracks. I have saved images to post about others recently but hadn’t stood still long enough to do so. From a Walter Greene, Polly Mellen, Quincy, Nikki Giovanni, James Earl Jones, Donald Sutherland, Liam Payne, Greg Gumbel, DJ Clark Kent, Rico Wade…and so on. Each stunned me and I could have had something to say about each, but life gets in the way and I get on with it. A lost like Nick Kamen, Gail O’Neil in recent years and few others left me grieving. Above is Danka Schroder formerly a German model. Last week I learned from a dear mutual friend @carlossouza1311 via his IG post that she had passed away. With so many passing away almost weekly, I was a bit shook. Though not spoken in perhaps 30yrs, Danka was a passage for me to grow and experience life. We met in Mexico City at the International Fashion Fair as models. It was my first air flight and big event. I was happy to have met Danka and her model friend Isolde. She looked out for me as I was truly clueless. When it was time to go to Europe, Rome was first, she insisted I stay with her. A few summers in a row and always with Danka. She was a Valentino model and I had began to spent lots of time with GianCarlo G, Valentino and Carlos. She introduced Roman Polanski to me one Roman summer when I would be in Rome when most left. And he and friends were in a villa outside so I wouldn’t be alone until I departed. For two days they welcomed me. To think that at one point in life we were so important to each other and when life shifted we rolled with it. To see her face and learned she was gone, shook me. Yet we comfortably lived our lives and never worry about the other enough to seek knowledge nor the urge to do so. Life goes on …until it doesn’t. I deeply valued Danka. Even though we went on with life, hearing she died and before me, hurt… 🙏🏾🖤🙏🏾 @dankaschroder
VIVA PUERTO RICO !!! This is how you show up and take to the streets to show discontent. VIVA PUERTO RICO!!! Hey.. did you hear the one about a leader of the free world got a call from a well known rapper friend of his to get another known rapper out of jail in a different country. So the leader is going to make a call to the prime minister of that country to aid that rapper for his rapper friend. While many immigrants seeking asylum are being held in seriously unhealthy detention centers in that leader’s country. Heard that one on the way to the souk. Interesting times…. Oh and Boris Johnson is in and says Brexit will happen by Oct 31 ..”do or die”. Soon the leaders of many countries will all be of the same tribe. 🙏🏾
Papa Francisco …Pope Francis has been laid to rest and unlike any other he chose not to have final rest in the Vatican, but in a church that he took worship in every Sunday, Rome’s St. Mary Major Basilica. I was a HUGE fan of Pope Francis he was cut from a different cloth. His character impressed me greatly. The concern for humankind. The pain he suffered for the children facing destruction. Catholic I am not, raised by my Islamic father who respected all religions. I simply honor those who care for all. There are Holy men and then there are one of a kind. Papa Francisco was just that. The first and last at embracing life until the end. His commitment to the children of Gaza, yet not ignoring the people of Jerusalem. A very special human who took the road often untravelled. The first Jesuit Pope, first from South America and first non-European born. You will be greatly missed. Great humans are becoming few and far in between. Travel well eternally Papa Francisco. #popefrancis🖤🙏🏾 #marymajorbasilica
These statistics are enough said. Be aware and be grateful that it is not your journey. Bless every country that accept and provide support to refugees fleeing their homeland, leaving everything behind in search of freedom. Thankful to those who care. #refugeeswelcome
“Cardi Don’t Need Mo’ Press” I have been holding out waiting for @kidathegreat to come back to me with 🔥🔥🔥 And he does it with Nike “flops” obviously worn and too big. But no hinderance. A forever fan I am !!! #kidathegreat #cardib #press
I don’t know if I ever could have said these words prior to the recent fires that has swept communities in the manner that it has. It has been heart breaking. Though the Santa Ana winds have calmed down, it feels like it ain’t over till it’s over. I live in New York City. I visit Los Angeles at least once a year for a decent spell of time. I use to spend even more time in years prior staying in my son Kadeem’s home in Topanga Canyon, once a year, 2-3 months at a time. I was first brought to LA by Harriet Selwyn a dear friend of Willi Smith and mine. She wanted me to help her with her apparel brand in the late 70’s. That was a time all the cool creatives New Yorkers were escaping to the wild open west to bring their talents where there were opportunities and lifestyle change. People like Joel Schumacher, Daniel Parades, Marisa Berenson, Barbara Carrera, etc. I was lucky to be given Daniel’s apartment to live in while he was away in West Hollywood. I think that is how I met Michael Kaplan (costume designer)maybe through Carol Isenberg or Linda Gruber. Those names might not be recognizable now but back then they were “the new kids on the block”. LA was quieter, less people, less cars. More spiritual and more caring about the body, mind and environment. In bed averagely by 9pm. Because everything closed early, restaurants and clubs, by 10p all was dark. It was special on many levels and a nice change from New York. It was very slow. And creatives could achieve easily, especially New Yorkers as they brought so much more to the table. My first time I spent two months working in behalf of Harriet and meeting who I mentioned above who were very caring. Back then Los Angelenos did what they said and didn’t talk out of both sides of their mouths. I always knew when asked would I be interested to move there as much as it embraced me, the answer has always been “No”. I am a die heart New Yorker til this day. But these recent fires brought tears to my eyes, I feared for Topanga Canyon and the loss for all others. I care for LA and recognize my love. It deserves a chapter. Prayers continue.
HERE WE GO !!!! B there or B square !!! Such An exciting moment in time. DEFIANCE and PROOF IN THE PUDDING !!! @15percent #15percentpledge @aurorajames @emmagrede
