March 11, 2012 · 10:56 pm

Socially Acceptable: Jordan Coleman

Dream big dreams.  I’m just an average kid. I play high school football, I play high school basketball, but I aspire to be great. Basically, I just dream big and I work hard at it.

-Jordan Coleman, Filmmaker/Student-Athlete

Directing His Path

by

Tracee Loran

Jordan Coleman

16 years old is too young to be a filmmaker, right?  16 years old is too young to be a filmmaker with a profound message, right?  16 years old is too young to do inspiring work that can impact copious lives, right? Apparently somebody forgot to clue 16-year-old Jordan Coleman in on that myth. Because not only did this inspiring high school junior create an important film with a profound message, he has set out on a nationwide tour to spread the word.

Jordan’s film Payin’ The Price is a different sort of boy meets girl romantic saga.  Boy meets girl. Boy woos girl. Boy falls in love with girl. Boy hits girl?  Therein lies the problem.   And Jordan wants you to understand just how much of a problem it really is.

Before we go on, it’s important to set the record all the way straight. Jordan wasn’t 16 when he directed Payin’ The Price; he was 14.  And he isn’t just a filmmaker; he’s an actor, a model student, and a two-sport athlete.  Yep, he’s baaad like LL Cool J, Michael Jackson, and Shaft (The original; no disrespect to Sam)!

I recently caught up with the quadruple threat during the Brooklyn leg of his Speak Up and Get Out film tour to talk film, sports, Donovan McNabb, and why he wants to challenge Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Xbox. Continue reading →

4 Comments

Filed under Radically Fabulous Ideas

Tagged as , , , , ,

February 1, 2012 · 12:00 pm

The Radically Fabulous Black History Month Sweepstakes

Noir A-Go Go Love Card

I’m super excited to announce the latest giveaway from The Socialite Design just in time for Black History Month! The Socialite Design has partnered up with Noir A-Go Go to bring you a sweet give-away!  Noir A-Go Go, an online gift store that features Black Pinup Girls on everything from Valentine’s Cards to Tee Shirts, wants to give you a taste of their catalogue. Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Radically Fabulous Sweepstakes

Tagged as , , ,

January 16, 2012 · 10:38 pm

Socially Acceptable: MARQUIS BARNETT

Marquis Barnett: The Second Half

By Tracee Loran

 

Tip-Off

Marquis Barnett

If life were played in two halves like the game of basketball, Marquis Barnett’s first half was short in minutes and long in suffering. The 19-year old Queens, NY native has endured more heartache and pain than most people three times his age.  Homelessness: Along with his Mom and two siblings, Marquis has lived in four shelters in four different boroughs throughout New York City. Tragedy: Marquis’ brother Tavon, who was autistic, died in a fire that the young boy accidentally started when left unsupervised. Violence: Nearly four years ago, Marquis had to rescue his Mom from the claws of an abusive boyfriend who was choking the breath and life out of her.

Fortunately, Marquis’ story does have a second half – one filled with hope, love, and redemption.  And in his second half, he is surrounded by amazing people who have shown what compassion truly means such as his long-time girlfriend, Shalyce Blue; his UWANTGAME mentor, Rodrick Seay; and his Cardozo High School basketball coach, Ron Naclerio, who championed for Marquis to play ball on the collegiate level. Now a freshman at Quinnipiac University – light years away from previous strife – the 6 foot 8 forward is crashing boards for the Division-I squad on a full ride.

I caught up with Barnett at a recent QU game against St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY.  What I discovered was not a young man who was scarred and angered by his harrowing past. (One might expect that and could possibly understand.)  Instead, who stood before me was a mature young man with a commanding presence and a gentle spirit. His words were brief, but profound and showed that Marquis refrains from looking back and dwelling on negative circumstances. He’d much rather spend his time looking toward a more promising future. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Radically Fabulous Stories

Tagged as , , , , ,

December 14, 2011 · 11:36 am

Open for Business

Ahh, it’s been a radically fabulous™ year!  Together, we’ve brushed elbows with incredibly cool people, landed a few amazing interviews, attended marvelous events, and just had a smashing time.

As 2011 comes to a close, The Socialite Design is moving into a new and very exciting arena – marketing,  copyediting and event coverage/planning. Now admirers of Ms. Tracee Loran’s (that’s me) musings and clever wit (ahem) can have a little taste of it to carry home.  Check out all the spectacular services offered through The Socialite Design for Business, then give me a ring so we can make a little more magic together.  And don’t be selfish; share The Socialite Design for Business with those in your network.

There are more good times on the horizon. Thanks for journeying with me.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa and a very prosperous New Year!

2 Comments

Filed under Radically Fabulous Ideas

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

December 12, 2011 · 9:54 pm

Epiphany

Tracee & Imani

Sometimes you’re fortunate enough to know your purpose in life early in the game.  I have long since known that one of my main reasons for being on this planet is to make the lives of young people better.  Nine years ago I was able to realize that purpose by becoming a mentor.  My mentee, Imani, was the cutest little thing.  She was full of life and smart as a whip.  Then she hit the tumultuous teen years and also hit a wall.  I hit a big fat wall right along with her and began to doubt myself as a mentor.  Her teen drama seemed to go on for years and years.  Was I a complete failure?

I prayed for answers and a way to continue my mission.  I was really at my wits end and close to throwing in the towel. But since I’m no quitter that really wasn’t an option; I was just being a drama queen.  This past July I was approached to join the leadership committee for our church’s youth ministry.  Hmm?  Could this be the answers that I was looking for?

Though it’s been challenging as I’ve found that Imani isn’t the only teen to run into a brick barrier (is everyone between the ages of 13 & 18 possessed?!), it’s been rewarding.  Imani has actually joined in on many of the activities and I’m happy to report that she is slowly climbing over that wall and doing really well.  Of course, she still has many more obstacles to overcome. But I’m hopeful for her future; I will hold steadfast to the faith that she will transition into adulthood remarkably and make great contributions to this society.

Along with my Youth Leaders of Emmanuel (YLE) team members, I’ve taken the teens to two Broadway plays, The Mountaintop and Stick Fly, both AWESOME works.  We’ve implemented many programs such as SAT prep, tutoring, and my pet project Read & Flow, a book club for the new millennium. We’ve also revamped the flagship program Teen Canteen.

The great thing about doing this kind of work is meeting people with like minds and visions.  I crossed paths with a super gifted Visual Artist Beau who generously devoted his time to create an incredible backdrop painting for Teen Canteen REMASTERED. The finished product (see below) is radically fabulous™ and he worked his magic less than 24 hours!

YLE has many amazing things on the horizon for the youth. I’m super excited!  Stay tuned for more updates. 2012 is going to be a great year for mentoring and inspiring our future leaders, thinkers, and doers!

We have been to "The Mountaintop" & it was good!

 

An evening at the theatre – Stick Fly

Girls Night Out - We loved Stick Fly!

Teen Canteen REMASTERED painting by Beau

3 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 15, 2011 · 1:19 pm

There’s No Place Like…HSN*

POINT ONE:

Humans are not perfect. Won’t you agree?  No one, except my Mom, is perfect.  Ok, she’s not perfect either, but she IS perfect when it comes to maintaining an immaculate & beautiful home. She doesn’t even have a junk drawer. Good grief, Charlie Brown! That woman is Monk live and in person.  But I digress. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Radically Fabulous Stories

Tagged as , , , , ,

August 3, 2011 · 12:16 pm

Socially Acceptable: KEISHER “FIRE” McLEOD-WELLS

“Boxing helps me to calm myself. Not as angry as I used to be.”

-Keisher “Fire” McLeod-Wells

Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Radically Fabulous Stories

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

July 16, 2011 · 2:25 pm

The Radically Fabulous Skin & Body Winner….

IS… Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Radically Fabulous Sweepstakes

Tagged as , ,

June 23, 2011 · 12:56 pm

Socially Acceptable: BOOKER T. MATTISON

PROLOGUE

Hey Hey Hey! The Socialite Design is expanding! Our newest feature, “Socially Acceptable”, spotlights some of the world’s most talented artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, professionals, and humanitarians. The inaugural installment of “Socially Acceptable” is somewhat of a hybrid creation – blog post-magazine article-novel-screenplay.  It’s the first time that something like this has ever been attempted in the history of blogs…we think.   Though it is a hybrid, it’s not intended to be green, improve the environment, preserve petro, or anything of the sort. However, the producer(s) of this hybrid believe that after reading it you will be smarter and more conscious. There is no guarantee how much more because everyone matriculates and absorbs information at a different pace. This hybrid blog post-magazine article-novel-screenplay is pretty epic because the protagonist has a lot of profound ish to say (and none of them are swear words…we swear).

Unlike lauded Hollywood movies, e.g. The Blind Side or The Pursuit of Happyness,  it’s not based on a true story, it IS a true story. If your lunch break is over before you’re able to reach the end, DVR it (yes we realize that you can’t DVR the written word, but just go with it).

Without further adieu… Continue reading →

1 Comment

Filed under Radically Fabulous Stories

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

June 5, 2011 · 11:08 am

The Radically Fabulous Skin & Body Sweepstakes!

*THIS SWEEPSTAKES HAS ENDED; CONGRATS TO ALICIA WILLIAMS!*

I’m super excited to announce the latest giveaway from The Socialite Design just in time for summer!  Recently I attended a swanky affair sponsored by Arbonne International, a company that promotes beautiful skin and a healthy body the way nature intended it – naturally. Well, I’m all about beautiful skin and a healthy body without the use of chemicals that do more harm than good, which is why I have partnered up with Arbonne Independent Consultants Sonja G. Bernard & Sally Stewart to bring you The Radically Fabulous Skin & Body Sweepstakes!  The winner will receive an exhilarating unisex prize of botanically rich, chemical-free products that rejuvenate your entire body.  The total prize package is worth ninety-seven bucks, but that’s the just the monetary value; the health benefits extend far beyond dollars and cents.  Enter now and here’s what you just might win: Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

Tagged as , , , , , , ,