On Tuesday, after months of planning, CMSD and Channel 3 joined forces and kicked off our Untitled Black History Month project with the Digital Arts High School. To jump start the program, we chartered the students around Cleveland to prominent historical landmarks, including Garret A. Morgan Water Works, Karamu House, St. John’s Episcopal Church, etc. One interesting fact I learned during the tour, it took slaves an entire year to walk from the south to Ohio/St. John’s Episcopal Church. What an incredible and brave of them to endure to freedom.

Students standing in front of the Jesse Owens statue

The next few days were spent at the Council of Great City Schools where the largest urban school districts in the country come to together and share how to improve and enrich our scholars’ education. It was my second time attending but equally informative. This year, Cleveland hosted the conference. I have to say, CMSD and Cleveland did a fantastic job as hosts and really set the bar for next year’s hosts Baltimore.

We also had incredible speakers during the conference aside from our peers. Bill Gates opened the conference and in a big way by announcing he would donate 1.7 billion dollars to charter schools.

Rosario Dawson shared her journey as a daughter of a teen mom, growing up poor in the Lower East Side in Manhattan and how her mom advocated for her to have the best education. With her current platform she pays it forward by her involvement in Lower East Side Girls Club.

Van Jones closed the conference with an incredible speech on how we need to balance the left and right to have a working and powerful future. He also moderated our forum on equity in education with superintendents including CMSD’s Eric Gordon, and CMSD’s students and parents.

I skipped one of the conference dinner to attend the Milly fashion show at Saks.

Saturday night, we had our farewell celebration at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum, where the entire museum was open for the attendees to explore. Although I just visited the museum a few weeks ago, I was finally able to take in their Power of Rock Experience, a 15 minute video of some of the highlighted performances throughout the years of the Rock Hall’s induction ceremony in a surround sound theater. It was incredible and I recommend anyone to check it out if you’re in the area (as well as their Rolling Stone magazine anniversary exhibit).

I closed off the weekend and week by attending the first show of the Broadway Series at Playhouse Square, Waitress. I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the musical when it was announced earlier this year during preview week, but I will say it’s one of the best musicals I have ever seen. As a proud Ice Princess, I wept at the end. It really made my cold heart melt for a few minutes. You know it’s good when it’s capable of doing that.

Overall, I had an eventful week. I wish I could say this week will be mellow but that's simply not the case. I'm heading back home to New York City for a few days this week. I cannot wait to go back to the city that never sleeps!

October 11, 2017

Brittny Pierre

fashion

Shake Up Your Work Attire

October 11, 2017

Brittny Pierre

fashion

When I began my big girl job, my mom purchased all my work attire. The thought of just going through a store to find something to wear to work just bored me to tears, but my mom enjoys shopping so it was a win-win situation. They were all professional, but very boring (no disrespect.) However, after 2+ years in this position, I'm over trying to conform to the social norms of what a 'professional' should look like. I'm comfortable enough in my skin and my job to show my true sense of style.

I've never been one who wants to fit in when it comes to style. There are trends that I find cool and might adapt, but for the most part, I have an idea of what I want to look like and how it should be styled.

That being said, I decided to go into my closet and throw away outfits that weren't for me. I kept some that I'll wear when I'm not in the mood to style myself, and kept other items that I knew I could shake up with different pieces and make my own.

This outfit is a mix of old and new; A pencil skirt, with a blouse and heels:

Skirt: An Express faux leather skirt I purchased from a thrift store. (Already own.)

Shoes: Black and white Gx by Gwen Stefani (Already owned.)

Blouse: Polka dot, puffy sleeve with front tie from H&M (New.)

Sunglasses: Aldo

August 24, 2017

Brittny Pierre

fashion

The Most Unforgettable Fashion Moments in VMA History

August 24, 2017

Brittny Pierre

fashion

This Sunday, the most exciting music award show, MTV’s Video Music Awards will air. At the VMA's, all of the genre’s biggest stars, reality stars, and z-listers collide, which leads to the unexpected. The fashion is always wacky, and someone is bound to cause a feud leading to some of the most memorable musical performances. Since its airing back in 1984, fashion has been a major staple for the award show, from the assless jumpsuit Prince wore during his performance of “Get Off” to Madonna’s infamous wedding dress with the “boy toy” belt. Let’s strut down memory lane, and round up some of the VMA’s most unforgettable fashions.

1. Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan shocked the world when she showed up with Marilyn Manson while wearing a see through mesh dress that revealed basically everything. The dress was made of entirely out of intricate beads.

2. Lil’ Kim

Lil’ Kim was never one afraid to show off her body, but somehow her lavender jumpsuit is still one of the most talked about ensembles at the VMA’s. It might be because one of her boobs was out for display with just a simple lavender pasty. Later that night her outfit was so shocking that Diana Ross needed to bounce Lil’ Kim’s boob.

3. Jennifer Lopez

J.Lo’s look at the 200 VMA’s is the most “Jenny from the Block” look she has ever worn. Rocking all white, with rhinestones everywhere from her belt, to her bandana, to her Sean Jean crop top, and even her belly button art. I’m sure you could walk around the South Bronx right now and find someone rocking the exact same outfit.

4. Gwen Stefani

Was the American flag inspired by this look? I think so. Gwen rocked a sequined red and white halter top with blue culottes in toe with “Rock Steady” brass knuckles.

5. Christina Aguilera

X-Tina if you’re nasty showed up to the VMA’s in classic early 2000’s fashion; extremely short jean skirt with an insanely unnecessary belt, a cloth to cover her boobs just enough (I never rocked that style but I’m sure one of my readers has tried to pull of this look), ratty multi colored hair, and a newsboy cap. Even though her “Dirrrty” era is her most iconic, aren’t we glad she got her fashion together?

6. Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey

For years, there were countless rumors that Mariah and Whitney didn’t get along, but the two killed those rumors when they put their mega voices together for the song “When You Believe.” With their fun personalities, they wanted to play off the rumors, and showed up to the VMA's with the same dresses….sort of; Both divas ripped off part of the others dress for an epic dress off.

7. Katy Perry and Riff Raff

Aside from their bubble gum romance, when you think of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, you think of their matching denim outfits. At the 2014 VMA's, in classic Katy Perry style, she showed up together with Riff Raff, wearing matching outfits paying tribute to the iconic denim look.

8. Macy Gray

Before Instagram and Twitter, musicians had to get creative to promote their albums. Macy took it upon herself to promote it at the biggest event of the year by wearing it. She wore a blue and pink gown with the writing "MY NEW ALBUM DROPS SEPT. 18 2001" and on the back side "BUY IT!"

9. Nicki Minaj

Nick Minaj sporting all of Lady Gaga’s used costumes from The Fame era.

10. Lady Gaga

My favorite Lady Gaga VMA look is her Alexander McQueen gown with a gold feathered Philip Tracey hat. Gaga looked like an oil painting that should be held at the Louvre.