During fashion week I went to support Kimora at her Baby Phat and KLS collection catwalk show. I always love catching up with Kimora. She brought her adorable baby Kenzo to the show and he made his debut catwalk appearance, haha! I also got to catch up with Russell Simmons. Honestly, I couldn't love the Simmons family any more!

We're off to Africa for Russell Simmons Diamond Empowerment Fund. DEF is a non-profit organization that aims to empower disadvantaged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource, through education. Some people online have been judging me for my charity work with the DEF. No charity work should ever be judged, it's just wrong. We can all do something to help!

I am so excited about the trip! Has anyone ever been?? Or is anyone from Africa?











The pics are from Gossip Girls

I recently had dinner with my dear friend, Russell Simmons in NYC, and we got into an in depth conversation about something that I didn’t know a whole lot about. He told me about how, a couple weeks ago, he was standing side by side with Governor David Paterson of New York when, with one stroke of a pen, he ended the Rockefeller Drug Laws once and for all. For the past seven years, Russell has been a leading member of a campaign to end the Rockefeller Drug Laws, which started mandatory minimum sentences in 1973 (meaning that if you get busted for drugs, you get automatic sentencing, even if you’re an addict or are non-violent). I learned during our conversation that since the "War on Drugs" began in the 70’s, America has gone from incarcerating 200,000 people to 2.4 million this year.  When he told me that, I was shocked!! How did we get to this point where so many people are in prison? I am not an expert in this area, and honestly, I have never really paid attention to this issue in the past, but it doesn’t seem like we are on the right path. I wonder why we put so many people in prison and treat so many drug users like criminals? Surely the best thing to do would be to get help for those who need it, instead of ignoring the problem and throwing them in jail, to take up spaces that should be filled with criminals... not addicts. A lot of people need support and treatment, and to be treated like individuals who need help, not criminals who need to be locked away in a cell. This is an issue that affects our whole nation, not just New York, so, I asked Russell how I could help. 

 

With the success of the Rockefeller Drug Law campaign, he was recently approached by the White House and the US Attorney General to support them in a major initiative to reform the criminal justice system nationwide.  He asked me if I would join him on this journey.  I was humbled since I definitely need to learn more, but I will count on Russell to teach me more and I am ready to dive into this issue and speak to anyone who is willing to listen.  And I know that if our generation decides that something needs to be changed, we will make that change.

What do you guys thing about this issue? It's one I haven't brought up before, but I'm sure you guys have some thoughts, and I'd love to hear them!

The other night I met up with my girl Sanaa Lathan. I had spent the whole day shopping and had no time to go home in between so I kept the same outfit! haha. We had so much fun! She is so talented and beautiful, I really admire her. We ate with Andre Harrell and some friends, and Russell Simmons even stopped by to join us. Check out the pics!

As soon as we got into Miami we had to hit up our favorite restaurant Prime 112 with our dear friend Jason Binn.

I can't believe I didn't order to the fried Oreos!!!! Those are my weakness, and I am trying to be good and cut back on my sweets!

After Prime 112 we met up with Russell at LIV night club in the Fountainbleau Hotel.

Reggie and I went to Miami to attend the Rush Philanthropic charity event thrown by Russell Simmons.

I was hosting the event which was about helping to save the arts.

I truly am inspired by Russell and feel like he has taught me so much about giving back.

I was always raised to give back... I remember when I got my first job my dad had me donate 10% of all of my earnings to the church. I still donate to the church to this day!

My mom and Bruce would always have us attend Special Olympics events.

It's never about the money, it's about time dedication.

There's always something you can do to give back and help out your community.

I'm teaming up with Russell Simmons and hosting an event for his arts foundation. I absolutely love and support his involvement in the arts!

Robin Antin, Jonathan, Rob, Reggie and I decided to Grammy party hop after the show was over on Sunday!

We first hit up the Interscope party, in Santa Monica. We hung out with U2 at the party, and Bono and the Edge were the most genuine people ever! They performed The Saints Coming Home at the reopening of the New Orleans Super Dome, Reggie's rookie year, so they were reliving those memories!

Then we went over to Russell Simmons' party in Beverly Hills. It was crazy packed! It was like a big fun house party. Quincy Jones, T.I. and Tatiana Ali we saw before heading over to Jermaine Dupri's party at Hyde. Everyone from Jay-Z to Kanye and Jermaine of course were there!

After our long night of party hopping, we were starving and went all glammed up to IHOP! Reggie and I made a bet that when you order a short stack of pancakes you get 3 pancakes and he argued you only get 2...I was right and won the bet!!!!

Our night was filled with sooo many laughs!

I recently met this amazing woman named Suzanne "Africa" Engo at a dinner for the Diamond Empowerment Fund with Russell Simmons.

She is truly inspiring because of her influential work in AIDS activism. "Africa" founded the New York AIDS Film Festival, the first film festival on HIV/AIDS in the world, says the United Nations. She is also involved with countless other AIDS-related causes, including the D.E.F.

What amazes me the most is that "Africa" recently finished a very long run from New York to Chicago—all in honor of raising awareness for HIV/AIDS. What an accomplishment! She ran 858 miles!

I am mainly writing this to you to show you how just one person can make such a huge difference! I hope you find her story as inspiring as I have!

Go Africa!

Russell Simmons hosted a huge charity event the other night for South Africa and the Diamond Empowerment Fund. Just being around Russell is so inspirational.

I had a chance to meet amazing people like Gayle King and Russel's brother Rev Run! (His wife Justine is the sweetest lady ever, by the way.)

Cassie and I were showing off our green bracelets, which I've decided to purchase for all my friends for Christmas gifts this year because proceeds go to empower economically challenged people in African nations where diamonds are a natural resource.

I was not asked to be an ambassador for the U.N. (as some reports have suggested today) but it would be an honor and I definitely plan on helping out the U.N. in the future. I am also excited for the work that Russell and I have planed in our fight for Africa!

The  Fontainebleau hotel opening was such a site to see!

Everyone from Russell Simmons, Martha Stewart, Kate Hudson, P. Diddy, and A-Rod were there!

Robin Thicke and Mariah Carey performed!

The night was honestly such a blast! Kourtney and Kristen were dancing the night away, Brody and Jayde were so lovey dovey all night long, and my friend Loren and I were dancing and chatting all night long! Jonathan and Scott were sitting watching it all go down!
 
I definitely wanted to do something different with my look: I tried a red lip instead of my usual nude lip, and I really liked it! I wore a black Robert Rodriguez dress with Courtney Crawford heels and a Swarovski clutch!

Hey Everyone!

I simply adore Russell Simmons and feel passionate about helping him out with his Art For Life East Hampton benefit that will take place on July 19th!

Unfortunately, I cannot attend the event, but I have decided to donate my time and give the highest bidder a personal styling experience and a shopping spree at Dash!!!

Trust me, this is all for an awesome cause: Russell's Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which he operates with his brothers Danny and Rev. Run (you remember him from a little group called Run DMC!), offers disadvantaged kids arts education and also provides a bunch of grants to NYC-based arts programs. They support theater, dancing, spoken word, marching bands, you name it! They also run two art galleries that show works of emerging and underrepresented artists.

The guys have the Art For Life event each summer at Russell’s house in the Hamptons, and each spring in Florida.

I hear they still have tickets left (hint hint!). This year they’re honoring some great people including Christy Turlington and director Brett Ratner. I will definitely try to make it to Russell’s event next year, for sure!!! If you want to bid on my items or find out more about the charity (including how to get tickets to this hot summer event!!), check it out HERE!

Xoxo,

Kim