It was an incredible night! Your Biggest Cheerleader is so honored and humbled to be one of the recipients for the 2010 Rising Icon Award. The FABulous event left me wanting to do even more and be even better. Thank you a million times over!
“All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.”
So... YOUR BIGGEST CHEERLEADER is always up to something. I've been touring with The Cheerleader's EmPOWERment Academy, hosting the Yahoo! Benefit Concert for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and on the brilliant panel for BE @ Time Warner's Book Bash. NOW, I'm going sideways (as my new cute crush would say) and doing the so-possible - although at 11th hour. Your Biggest Cheerleader finally decided (at some of you dolls' firm request) to enter OPRAH'S "HOST YOUR OWN TALK SHOW" Competition/Audition and I'd be a drunken smitten kitten at last call if you voted for me (and told everyone you know on planet Earth - and Mars - with internet access to vote as well, lol - but really. No, Farealz!).
STILETTO STORIES celebrates FABulous women! Period. It's a Movement. YOUR Movement. Stiletto Stories is a hybrid show, part adventure, part traditional talk show, and part health and wellness where we're celebrating YOU! We're telling YOUR STILETTO STORY! It's ROCKstar women - the Housewife, the Actress, the Teacher, the Attorney... - who are dealing with life's challenges. And we're meeting those challenges, those fears/struggles/obstacles head on and having a crapload of delicious fun doing it! And, of course, YOUR BIGGEST CHEERLEADER will be right there with you - every step of the way with the goal of ensuring that no dynamic doll ever has to endure what I have - and definitely not alone! This City Girl will be right there with you, by your side every step of the way. So if you're challenged by the viewing audience to climb a mountain, then we're climbing mountains, we're running marathons, we're skydiving, speed dating, trucking cross-country, riding motorcycles, deep-sea diving... the options to live and love in life are endless! So VOTE. It's a Movement. Your Movement. And Your BIGGEST CHEERLEADER would be honored to celebrate your life with YOU!
YOUR BIGGEST CHEERLEADER took The Cheerleader's EmPOWERment Tour to Sacramento State University and had the honor of Presenting to some of the most FABulous and vulnerable students.We talked BOOKS, BOYS, BOOZE & BIPOLAR to the packed auditorium, engaging in raw dialogue reflective of their distinctive experience. So maybe, despite my Teflon exterior (NOT!), I teared up a little after the three-hour event when one of the students whispered in my ear, "I always thought I was the only one dealing with these issues."
The students were, in a word, brilliant! The questions were thought-provoking and their unique insight proved what I already knew: they are a generation of courageous minds dealing with real life in real time. College drop-out rates in their nuclear circles are staggering, as is the hushed rise in prostitution and drug-abuse. Apathy had no place in the auditorium. Victimization was turned away at the door. And after a few brave volunteers participated in the career trajectory design, I saw the light bulbs over a few of their heads brighten.
A heartfelt "THANK YOU!" goes out to the Delta Sigma Thetas, my beautiful Sorors, at Sacramento State University for inviting The Cheerleader to participate in their May Week festivities. In this millennium, to whom much is given, much is demanded, and these phenomenal young leaders are collectively doing their part to ensure, despite the economic monsoon drowning our communities, that theirs is a generation that won't be left behind.
I was honored to do my part to assist them on their journeys. For some, it's about surviving. For others, it's about thriving. For everyone, on that palpable night, it was about understanding that although their road is paved with significant challenges that can only be overcome with meticulous attention to their strategic plan, they can and will win. Our young leaders need our involvement, our guidance, and an enormous degree of empathy. They are tomorrow's doctors, lawyers and Indian Chiefs; they are today's students, today's sons and daughters - and our children.
Learned leaders they are becoming, investing in the artillery that will carry them through the war. The battle wounds will fade over time, becoming references for how they survived difficulty. I'm investing now, in their bear market, so that I can yield my return later.
Below is just one of many emails I received from a student. It keeps Your Biggest Cheerleader's perspective razor sharp!
Ms. Erika,
This is I spoke with you after you spoke at Sac State. I'm not in a happy place right now. I'm very sad. Im turning 21 next saturday and I thought this would be one of the happiest moments of my life but I'm not. I am trying to find myself and what I really want to do but I'm not sure. Changing my major is one of the hardest things. speech pathology, well I'm not sure if I wana do that for the rest of my life. Thinking of Journalism because I love to write, but theres fear of not liking it and ending up back at square one or not being able to find a job after graduation. Also, being in school forever...i cant afford it. I'm not sure what to do.
On top of that I have personal issues some of it comes from not knowing my purpose, others of it is insecurity, my weight, not liking myself (inside or out). I've sometimes thought something was wrong with me because of my actions with people. I'm just trying to figure myself out.
Well thats all.
No, it is just her beginning. With that level of introspection and dedication to her cognitive and emotional wealth, she will WIN! And I will be just one of her many Cheerleaders on the sidelines as she breaks through the warrior's tape at her finish line.
Every time I look at you
You always look so beautiful
Driving on the road again
The Chevys packed than and it is dust
And I would take some photographs
So I can dream of you
Can't say I've felt
Such twisting in my heart this way
We picture Ted and Avon sleeping
While you stay awake
The fire's burning softly
Singing songs so close to you
Do you believe
In love at first sight?
I think you do
We're lying naked under the covers
Those are the best days of my life
Can't take away those times
We stayed up and we talked all night
Chain smoking cigarettes and
Three bottles of red wine
Falling asleep together
Holding your body close to mine
And in the morning
Your eyes opened so innocent
The sun is blazing we are sweating
You look lovely
Nothing else matters anymore
'Coz you're in my arms again
Do you believe
In love at first sight?
I think you do
We're lying naked under the covers
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my life
Oh, I never want to be without you
So just stay with me
I will love you endlessly
Oh darling, darling
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my life
Do you believe
In love at first sight?
I think you do
We're lying naked under the covers
Those are the best days of my life
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my
Those are the best days of my life
Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas is a FANtabulous Doll who just doesn't seem to age nor get caught up in the Hollyweird dating dishasters. But when she does speak her mind (espesh now as she revs up for her uber sexxxy dating reality show that premiers this Sunday) we gush all over her dating epistomology. The perspective of this seasoned beauty is impeccable. Cliff Notes: NO! You don't have to shag every beau you audition for a starring role in your darling heart. She fesses on her Vibe blog...
..."When you truly, truly love somebody and it’s a healthy love, you always want to make sure you’re healthy yourself before entering a relationship and give that person your time. That’s why they call it dating. Dating doesn’t mean we’re sleeping together. Dating doesn’t mean I’m your girlfriend, you’re my boyfriend. It means that we are exclusively dating each other trying to get to know each other, figure out each other’s personalities, see if we click, if our morals are intact—all those things. And then you can graduate to the next level of the relationship."
And we couldn't agree more. Shagging every delish dude who takes you to Red Lobster or Cipriani can inevitably lead to you keying his wheels and/or stalking his rottweiler when the oxytocin speedballs through your veins and your needy, clingy texts, IMs, BBMs and emails hear crickets.
"DATING is a form of courtship, and may include any social activity undertaken by, typically, two persons with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a partner in an intimate relationship or as a spouse. The word refers to the act of meeting and engaging in some mutually agreed upon social activity. Traditional dating activities include entertainment or a meal."
Take notes, Dolls! You're fabulous and you're oh sooo worth it!
P.S. But if a shag session tops your performance rider, then by all means...
KEEPING YOU FABULOUS... Wednesday April 7th 6pm-8pm Calling all Models, Makeup Artists, Designers, Stylists, Photographers, Hairstylists & Writers to network and be featured on She-blogs.com Fashion First Thursdays COMPLIMENTARY Event Please rsvp for location to ally@she-blogs.com Please come out if you are an artist & please pass on to other artists!
We can barely contain ourselves we're so excited about the Heroines For Haiti event tonight in New York City. Your Biggest Cheerleader, along with 7 other amazingly fabulous women are receiving an award for our acclaimed work in our respective fields. Could we be any more humbled and, well, honored. It's beyond nice to be acknowledged and it only makes us want to be of more service. In the Cheerleader's Headquarters our mission statements says we "Educate, Entertain & Empower!" So much more we want to do for those in need...
Tomorrow we’re pulling up our chair for the career panel with
The Catholic Big Sister Big Brothers
“We offer dynamic, hands-on, and innovative programs that teach our students everyday social, personal, career and academic skills. Instead of the traditional classroom setting, we like to combine creativity and learning in one and that includes events, trips, and guest speakers.”
Career Panel Event Information
Day/Time: Wednesday, March 17th from 530-7pm
Where: CBSBB 137 East 2nd Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue
Purpose: To expose students to various Work Professions and to build net-working relationships”
We're so xcited (Your Cheerleader luvs the kids!) and our team will take plenty-o-pics!
JUST ANOTHER GLAM GOTHAM GIRL RUNNIN' FROM THE CUBICLE!
Juicy cybersmooches to all my űber-glam girls, my gnarly disco queens and all my Mohawk stuntin’ faux rockstars in between! Mucho gracias, bees, for all the GENIUS BUZZ and for dropping by my blinged-out blog.
If you wanna Triple Max your fab factor then try on my naughty new novel, APPETITE… even though I've never been a soap opera darling, or a model-esque Rockstar, I did spend a few on the set of ALL MY CHILDREN watching all the dramz go down. Shhh, don't tell... but it's a fictitious dish - it’s what happens when All My Children meets Sex & the City meets Girlfriends. Pinky swear you’ll absolutely heart this sneak peak.
So while you brilliant dymes sprinkle the world with couture sunshine, love on the book then stroke a few keys to drop me a line! I'll be right here... reppin' rego chicks on the E-List!
P.S. And when you're done gettin' all caught up with the behind-the-scenes dish, swap APPETITE out for the leader of the pack, CONFESSIONS OF A ROOKIE CHEERLEADER!
THE CHEERLEADER'S ALTER EGO!
APPETITE!
Indulge Your Appetite! Now in bookstores nationwide and on AMAZON!
WE MADE PAGE SIX!
THE CHEERLEADER AND APPETITE
The Accidental Escort
Our Erotica Short in Fab Anthology! In Stores Now!
EBONY INDULGED OUR APPETITE
WE MADE "SEXY SUMMER READS" LIST
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
CHICAGO TRIBUNE FEATURE
We talk Books, Booze, NBA Cheerleading and Girl Scout Cookies!
Super Duper Cute Confessions Cover
In Stores Nationwide...! Book Buzz at Erikakendrick.com
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Marianne Williamson
BESTEST BOOKS
SOMETHING BORROWED
Bestest Books!
What Mother Never Told Me
Bestest Books!
Can't Help The Way That I Feel
BESTEST BOOKS
SOMETHING BLUE
BESTEST BOOKS
SKINNY BITCH
BESTEST BOOKS!
FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF
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