#IShineBecause

May 18, 2017
3 min read

"What makes YOU shine?" A beautifully poised black aristocrat donning her 1920s glam & silk flower head dress approached fellow blogger Dani Renee & I mid-selfie with microphone in hand. I was immediately forced into a position to be inspiring and inspired in the blink of an eye..."I shine because I'm different and I own it". That short moment set the prominent tone of class & prestige for the phenomenal 15th Anniversary Hats Off Luncheon as Honey Shine Inc celebrated their outstanding community service success.

As a representative of a friend's publication Bossy Magazine, I couldn't have asked for a better Saturday. Can I back peddle real quick and tell you how the foyer of Loews Miami Beach in itself was a multi-faceted-museum-quality experience??! Adorned with breath taking lighting & semi-precious crystals I almost got stuck downstairs in absolute wonderment. I digress, let's grab our feather boas & recap.

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Tracy Wilson Mourning's passion for uplifting young women has not only proven successful, its also contagious. I mean...who doesn't want to shop for such a great cause :) While perusing the silent auction pieces I happened to come across some truly fabulous people. I had the pleasure of meeting an edgy visionary accessory designer from The D.R., Clara Pacheco. I instantly fell in love with her classic black & white styling with a luxurious twist. Pieces from her line Mina Wild were included in the silent auction. See amazing gator belt below, drool if you must! The gorgeous sisters Latasha & Latoya Stirrup had heads turning from each corner of the room, I mean really magnetic beauties. I can't wait to check out their new hair care line Kazmaleje. Some familiar faces warmed the atmosphere as well and it was so nice to see Ms. Kay, LaVie & Oscar Joyner with his lovely wife in the house. I also couldn't resist diving into the Kendra Scott raffle head first. And that was only the beginning.

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We were called into the ballroom for lunch & the award show commenced. First was a heart-felt passing of the baton from one "Honey Bug" to the next. Watching these young women articulate themselves & commit to their own betterment was genuinely a proud moment for myself as well as all of the women in attendance, I assure you we basked in the ambiance of pride. The Honoree for the day was Mrs. Madeleine Arison, Chief of Carnival Cruises and wife of Miami Heat Owner Mr. Micky Arison. Through her work with Honey Shine Inc, over 200 young girls from under-resourced communities participate in uplifting character development & educational activities. The young beneficiaries have been outstanding examples for their peers as they pursue higher education & work towards their dreams.

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The "Honey Bugs", as Tracy Wilson Mourning so affectionately refers to her girls, even showed us what they were made of modeling 1920's fashion & performing a fun upbeat dance routine. A true highlight for this Pre-Mother's Day event was undoubtedly when Mourning's youngest son Alijah took to the stage to gift his Mom with her congratulatory bouquet and most maturely thank all attendees for their continued support. But the event wasn't quite over...

Screams...PARTY IN THE HALLWAY!!!!! Serenaded by the sultry vocals of Recording Artist LaVie singing jazz standards accompanied by more unique buys while drinking mimosas with an ocean view, I'd say it was definitely one for the books.

~FIN