Women and girls of various ages, religions, and social economic backgrounds came together as one sisterhood at the Shrine of the Black Madonna located 5309 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Houston, TX 77021 on February 11, 2017 to support Queendom Come, Inc’s Fundraiser “THE CROWNING”.
The Shrine was the perfect gathering place for this royal affair hosted by the founders of Queendom Come Inc as it’s a purposeful space of enlightenment and love. As women were walking in the venue throughout the day wearing head pieces, scarves, wraps, turbans, weaves, afros, dread locks, braids, to support the organization it was evident that each felt welcomed and a sense of belonging. The décor was modernly regal as purple African fabric draped the furnishing and weaved around candles lightly burning to illuminate the stage as Queen Wakiti opened up the gathering with prayer. The beaded crystals cascading along the stairs with a gold crown placed in the center of a small glass table attracted the audience into the sacred setting where Queen Oshea gave a succinct introduction of the mission of the nonprofit and spoke on the purpose for the occasion.
(Source: Queendom Come, Inc. Newswire) The purpose of The Crowning Fundraiser was to provide women of color with a space to embrace their natural beauty and empower others to do the same. The intention of the gathering was to celebrate women of color who’ve made a choice to cover their heads based on consciousness of culture, historical pride, religious significance, or freedom of creativity. All those in attendance were able to listen to a diverse panel that openly discussed topics: such as, “cultural identity”; “the trend in head wrapping as a fashion in relation to historical significance”; “religious beliefs and value in women covering their hair”, as well as “the stigma against natural hairstyles in corporate America” and “The negative reaction of the beauty industry against ethnic styles”.
The esteemed panelist consisted of the Southwest regional MGT & GCC St. Captain of the Nation of Islam, Sister Valerie Muhammad, along with Coco Bates, an editor and fashion blogger. Also on center stage were, Joy Ekhator, a natural hair product entrepreneur of Nigerian descent and a wise scholar and matriarch of the community, Dr. Daa’iyah Farooq, whom offered insightful remarks on these sensitive gender issues. Unlike other self promoting fundraisers, this event offered an opportunity for other nonprofit organizations to network and work together to bring exposure to programs and resources that are dedicated to improving the condition of minority women and girls. Queendom Come founders know that they cannot do it alone so the theme repeatedly reiterated by the organizers during the program was that “Queens don’t compete, we collaborate”.
Queendom Come, Inc. recognizes that there is limitless immeasurable value in the female. Queendom Come, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit female empowerment and mentoring organization established to teach, train and nurture girls as they transition to adults. The organization founders strongly believe that working to develop positive feminine expression, as well as providing inspirational role models and a caring support system to the youth and their mothers/guardians can significantly improve the lives of females in our society. Queendom Come, Inc’s mission is to teach and train females to value their self worth and virtue by cultivating the Queen within. Thus in an effort to raise funds to continue the progress that the organization has achieve, the founders and volunteers sold tickets while also soliciting sponsors to prepare for The Crowning fundraiser event. During the event there were innovative initiatives presented to address collective cultural concerns, a hilariously entertaining interactive head-wrapping competition, and a hands on protective styling demonstration presented by Malaika Phoenix Ali of UrbHol Vibe Inc., a lifestyle company.
Inside the venue, the attendees would stop to shop with the black business owners vending beautifully designed clothing, custom jewelry, and natural hair care products at this exclusive female only event. Innovated School of Beauty located in Pearland came out with an informational table to encourage youth to pursue cosmetology. Another benefit received by the participants, is that this event allowed collaboration with a diverse group of women from various professions and organizations. It was a united front as Queen Sadiyah instructed the women to gather together to close the gaps and connect in their shared space, then she directed them to hug each sister on the left and right. You could observe the mutual adoration that the women held for each other by simply knowing that they had agreed and made a commitment to support the community by attending this event.
Queen Qiana shared information about the Ascension program while passionately reminding the audience that their generous donations submitted for the occasion would allow Queendom Come Inc to work with girls across this city and state. At the conclusion of the event there were many who were eager to volunteer with the organization so the founders were grateful to establish long-lasting partnerships with others with a shared interest. Therefore, “The Crowning” not only brought in a monetary increase to a burgeoning organization, but it also enabled the expansion of a valuable sister circle that is needed to help every female create a life fit for a Queen.
(For more information on Queendom Come, Inc. visit @ http://myqueendomcome.org/)
Ascension Curriculum