“From Chicago With Love” Fashion Show

Chicago Fashion Focus (our version of Fashion Week) kicks off tomorrow and there will be plenty of events for folks to attend! There will be no shortage of industry workshops, fashion shows, designer meet-and-greets, and parties. With all these events happening, I’ve been crossing my fingers that there would be at least one with a philanthropic twist…AHA! I found it!

This Saturday the 4th, the Chicago-based online boutique, Studio-808.com, will host a runway show at Stone Lotus (873 N. Orleans) in conjunction with Fashion Focus. The show will begins at 8:30p and will showcase Chicago-area fashion from Phizza’z Designs, the Yana Collection, Boris Powell Designs, and more. A portion of the ticket proceeds are to benefit the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Bear Necessities was founded in Chicago over 15 years ago by Kathleen Casey after her standing by her son during his five and half year battle with Wilms Tumor, a pediatric cancer. The organization provides support for children fighting cancer and their families, funding for research, and information and educational resources.

Tickets for the Friday’s show range from $35-$50. The $50 VIP tickets include early admission (8p) and access to a private vodka lounge. Click here to purchase tickets!

For more information on Bear Necessities, visit bearnecessities.org. And, find out about the events during Fashion Focus 2008, please visit chicagofashionresource.com.

-kb

KB’s Journey: Back In Chicago!

Hey, all! I’m back in the Windy City, and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the nation’s capital! BillieAnne K. definitely kept me busy during my two day stint in the MS Society’s DC office. Despite a severe cold (complete with a fever and body aches), I helped laminate signs, stuff envelopes, file documents, make copies, etc! As you can imagine, there are a gazillion details involved with planning and executing a two-day walk. I’m just glad that I could help!

I was also able to sneak a swanky black tie gala into my schedule. I attended the Annual Awards Dinner/Gala sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. This event is the culmination of their Annual Legislative Conference and raises funds to support the programs of the CBCF and their annual scholarship program. Award recipients included the beautiful and talented Kerry Washington, NY Governor David Paterson, and (our next President) Senator Barack Obama. Can I just say that it was absolutely amazing to be in the same room with him? I mean, to hear his voice knowing that you’re under the same roof…Amazing! 

The room was a Who’s Who in African-American politics, the arts, and business. Here I am in my CBC gala wear, before the free-flowing wine got to me :-)

KB in BCBG Max Azria

Anyways, now that I’m back in Chicago, I’m ready for a busy week of blogging, “Examining,” and attending events. Catch me if you can…Peace!

Eating Out and Helping to End Hunger

I’ve been doing a LOT of things while out here in DC. I’m talking shopping, sightseeing, volunteering, sleeping, etc. And, I’ve also been eating out every day. So, imagine my delight when I learned that a lot of the restaurants that I’ve been visiting are participating in this week’s Great American Dineout. The weeklong nationwide program kicked off on Sunday the 21st and goes until the 28th!

During the Great American Dineout, participating restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds to help end childhood hunger. My favorite part about events like this is that they don’t require you to do anything out of the ordinary. You just go to one of your favorite spots (if they’re participating), order your food, and that’s it. It’s so simple!

To find restaurants near you, or for more information, please visit greatamericandineout.org!

Here are some participating DC restaurants that my family or I have eaten in this week…

Corner Bakery – Union Station (From where I’m currently blogging…Lol)

Legal Sea Foods on 7th

Charlie Palmer Steak

Daily Grill

I’m sure that when I get back to Chicago, my scale will definitely reflect the amount of eating that’s happened this week. But, if most of it was for a good cause, then I should get some kind of “weight gain” pardon. Right? Yeah, I didn’t think so. If there was some type of philanthropy associated with my local gym, then maybe I would find myself there more often.

 

-kb

P.S. Did anyone know that Corner Bakery had wi-fi? I didn’t! I guess wireless is almost everywhere now!

Imerman Angels and AKIRA Do It Again!

On Sunday September 28th, Imerman Angels and AKIRA present Paradeisos, the 5th Annual Garden of Eden Fashion Show. Since Imerman Angels was founded in 2003, they have partnered with Akira for this event which attracts some of our town’s finest folks! Imerman Angels is one of Chicago’s most recognized charities. It was founded by Johnny Imerman and connects individuals fighting cancer with those who have survived it. 

The event is being held at Galleria Marchetti (825 West Erie, Chicago) and is slated to begin at 4:30p with the runway show to begin at 6p. Guests will be treated to live musical appearances, massages, and manicures. General tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. VIP tickets are also available for $75. VIP tickets include hors d’oeuvres, a private entrance and bar, VIP seating, and a gift bag. 

You can purchase tickets at AKIRA stores or online at akirachicago.com or imermanangels.org.

-kb

La Vie En Rose!

 

 

Need I say more??? Visit bebrightpink.org/events to purchase your tickets to this fabulous event. It will be a guaranteed good time!

-kb

KB’s Journey: DC + MS

Hey, all! Happy Monday! I’m in DC this week and very excited about hanging with friends and family (once they arrive from Chicago)! This week is looking to be a busy one for me. Today and tomorrow, I will be volunteering at the Capitol chapter of the MS Society! This weekend is the huge Capital Challenge walk, a two-day, 50 K walk to raise funds for MS research and programs. I don’t know if you remember this, but I was training to participate in this walk earlier in the summer. However, due to a scheduling conflict on Saturday, I won’t be able to join the walk! Whomp, whomp

I’ll be spending my days helping assemble rest stop boxes, organize signage, assemble walk packets, etc! I’m looking forward to my two days in-office, and really blessed that my company has a “Charity Days” program. Employees are allowed two days/year to volunteer at their favorite charity. Does your employer have a program like this? If so, I strongly encourage you to take advantage and use those days! A lot of nonprofits run on small budgets, so anytime they can have (free) help around the office…GREAT!

Alright, guys…I’m off to catch the Metro into the office (wow…I sounded like a true DC-er)! I’ll keep you posted on how my two days go!

-kb

Wine, Women & Shoes…Oh MY!

I saw the title of this event and immediately knew that this is my kind of soiree! The Midwest Office of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will host the third annual “Wine, Women & Shoes” benefit on Thursday, October 2nd. The event will be held at the River East Art Center (435 E. Illinois) and last from 6p-9:30p. Guests will be treated to four wine bars, a buffet of hors d’oeuvres, the Nordstrom shoe lounge, a silent auction, and much more! 

This event combines wine, networking, and shopping to benefit UNICEF’s Accelerated Child Survival Initiative. The goal of the initiative is to save and protect the lives of children in developing countries by strengthening their local healthcare systems.

Tickets are $85 and $185 (VIP) and can be purchased by clicking here. For more information on Accelerated Child Survival Initiative, please visit www.unicefusa.org.

Common and Friends Come Together For Urban Youth

 

On Saturday, September 27th, Common will round up some of his celebrity friends for the first annual “Start the Show N’ Bowl” benefit hosted by the Common Ground Foundation. The Common Ground Foundation was founded to support and empower urban youth. 

Common is enlisting some of his celebrity friends for a bowl-a-thon and concert. The “Common and Friends” concert will feature performances from hip-hop stars, Will.i.Am, The Roots, Talib Kweli, and soul singers Bilal and Marcia Ambrosius (of Floetry). The concert starts at 7:30p at the House of Blues (329 N. Dearborn, Chicago). Tickets are available at the House of Blues box office and website.

For more information on the benefit, check out my story on my Examiner site and check out the Common Ground website.

-kb

P.S. Common is such a dreamboat

The Sephora Project Helps Girls Change the World

Sephora recently launched their philanthropic initiative, The Sephora Project, by partnering with Girls for A Change (GFC). Girls for A Change is a “national organization that empowers girls to create social change,” with a focus on girls who live in low-income communities.

Sephora will partner with GFC as they embark on their nationwide tour. This tour kicks off on September 24th and will take GFC to cities to host summits, rallies, and meetings to get young women fired up about changing their lives and communities. As of now, the GFC tour won’t make a stop in Chicago, but if you’d like to learn more about Girls For A Change and how you can be involved, visit their website at www.girlsforachange.org! 

Sephora has also designed a REALLY cute tote bag which will go on sale this month in all Sephora stores. The totes are $12 and 100% of the proceeds will benefit Girls for A Change. For more information on Sephora’s committment to the community, click here!

-kb

KB’s Journey: The New Chicago Philanthropy Examiner!

Hey, all…I’ve been given the wonderful opportunity to write for Examiner.com as the Chicago Philanthropy Examiner! My focus will be solely on local events and initiatives by charitable causes and organizations, and feature more galas/big ticket events.

I’m super-excited and really blessed!

Visit my Examiner home by clicking here!

-kb