Speak Movement

LaToya sits down with American Idol star, Syesha Mercado, to catch up on life since season 7 at a photo shoot with upcoming photographer Joe Wesley. Watch to see what Syesha has been working on and behind the scenes footage from the shoot.

Visit us on Facebook for more Behind the Scenes footage.

"When I grow up, I want to be just like me" is not just a cute tee, it is a motto designer Staci Sherri believes in whole-heartedly. We recently caught up with the vivacious artist to get the scoop on what drives her creations. Check out our conversation with the soon to be New York Fashion Week vet.

Question 1: How did you get started in fashion design? A dream that turned reality. From a very early age, I grew up with a love for dance & costume. I knew fashion design was my destiny. I would set milestones and surround myself with any and everything that pertained to fashion. I furthered my education majoring in fashion design & marketing.

Victory loves preparation…

Question 2: What most inspires your clothing? “LOVE!” The abstract and literal meaning of Love. I Love this dress (abstract). I Love me some you (Literal). Freedom, self-expression, a non-verbal communication that is chaos.

Question 3: This Feb you will be premiering your line at New York Fashion Week. What can fashionistas expect from your show? People can expect passion and good energy, a great moment. It is a lot of time and hard-work that goes into NYFW, for a show that lasts a few minutes.

Question 4: What would you say is your most iconic (or signature) piece? That piece that my customer(s) owns that make them feel empowered. That’s Iconic…my signature.

Question 5: What do you consider an absolute must-have for any aspiring fashion designer? PASSION, DRIVE & DETERMINATION is the formula. You have to be FEARLESS! I would tell all aspiring designers to stay true to you. If you have a vision run with it. It is ok to polish your vision BUT DO NOT let someone change it. They may not be able to see what you see.

Recorded by: Sterling McKinley

I have found the best way to achieve goals is to write them out and say/look at them everyday. I did it in college and still today in my business as well as personal life. The results are amazing.

What do you want to do? What are your goals?

Follow these steps:

STEP 1. Write 5-7 things you want to achieve. (You can have multiply lists for different areas of your life)

STEP 2. Type those golas out in big letters.

STEP 3. Make 10-15 copies

STEP 4. Place them anywhere so you can see them. (Ex: on top of your TV/Computer, bedroom, car, mirror, refrigerator & office.

STEP 5. Every day look at your list say it out loud.

THEN TAKE ACTION TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS!

Written by: Nubia Previl

10…9…8… you know the rest! Every year millions of people make goals, they hope to accomplish. Be it a fitness goal, a mental goal or even a financial goal. Statistics show that only 19% achieve their resolutions every OTHER year while only half of that succeed in achieving their goals every year. I stopped making resolutions years ago because they are a waste of time and energy. It’s not that I can’t keep my goals but I have found that it is more realistic to set goals on my terms. I’ve never been a follower so doing something because it works for others doesn’t fit into my lifestyle. This year I’m doing something a little different. This time, I’ve chosen to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned in 2011 so I don’t repeat them in 2012.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." --Serenity prayer

I’ve always been fascinated by people with road rage. Some people are really angry behind the wheel! Those kind of people baffle me and you can tell a lot by a person’s reactions. In my opinion, it is unhealthy to get so angry that you’d follow another driver to their destination to confront them.[BREATH…. It’s not that serious!] This year, I’ve learned a lot by observing how people react to the circumstances that come their way. I can’t control what others do to me but I am definitely in control of how I CHOOSE to react.

“It is in your moments of decisions your life is shaped” -- Anthony Robbins

There is power in making a decision. Every single day, we make decisions, big and small that impact our lives. We decide whether to go to work, we decide the places we frequent and the people we keep in our lives. We make so many decisions in any given day we don’t realize how much our lives are affected by them. If we just took a little time to reflect on what we want, we’d make better choices. Before taking action ask yourself, “Is the decision I’m about to make reflective of the life I want to live?”

“The first time someone shows you who they are, believe them.” -- Maya Angelou

Have you ever gone out on a date and wished it ended as soon as it started? Bringing up sex before appetizers have been ordered will ensure that you DO NOT get a second date; not with me at least. When people show you who they are, don’t make excuses for them. It is not your responsibility to ‘FIX’ anyone and make them ‘BETTER’. If you don’t like the way you feel when you’re near a particular person, take note. Your gut could keep you from suffering a lifetime of unnecessary disappointment.

Making resolutions should be both fun and challenging. Strive to be better than you were last year. Resolutions don’t have to be epic to be significant. When setting goals, keep in mind what YOU want, not what others want for you or say you should do. Before you do though, make a list of the things you don’t want to repeat from last year and follow through.

SpeakMovement and PJs Closet wants to celebrate your passions. Enter WE SPEAK and share your dreams with us for a chance to win great prizes. Only 3 lucky contestants will be chosen for our first online contest.

Recorded by: Sterling McKinley, creator of McKinley Media Group

Silicon Valley is the starting point for all tech entrepreneurs. It is the home of billion dollar companies such as Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple. If you have a tech idea and you want investment, Silicon Valley is where you should be.

My tips:

1. Have a real revenue scheme 2. Investors are great but look for other revenue sources. 3. Become a creator vs a consumer

With the passing of each year, we continue to grow closer as a global community. This holiday, take some time to give to those who work diligently to make our world a better place. Through your action and support, community-based organizations will be encouraged to continue their mission to help others. Plus, what better way to close out the year than to give to a worthy cause?

Here are 6 charities and organizations that could use your time (as well as dollars).

Topps, Inc. On a recent episode of NBC's Rock Center, Chelsea Clinton made her journalistic debut by covering the story of a Annette Dove, the woman behind Topps, Inc. Targeting Our People’s Priorities With Service (TOPPS) is a non-profit community based organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and their community in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  TOPPS was founded in 2002 by Executive Director, Annette Dove, and is located in Jefferson County, Arkansas, where roughly one out of every four people lives in poverty.

Annette and her staff believe everyone should have the opportunity to become productive, active citizens in their community.  TOPPS offers a full range of services for all ages in tutoring, physical fitness, public speaking, cooking, computer training, art, travel, and mentoring.

TOPPS volunteers also serve a hot nutritious meal to 280 children daily after school and over 500 children throughout the summer months when they do not have a meal served through the school lunch program.

The staff and board of TOPPS are committed to providing children and their families effective and measurable services needed to break the negative cycles associated with poverty.  Our goal is to offer the love, support and services that empower families and change our communities.

I Want to Give to Topps!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

------------------------ B.i.o.n.i.c Girls, Inc. The mission of B.i.o.n.i.c Girls, Inc. is to empower and transform the lives of young breast cancer survivors who have undergone cancer treatment and mastectomy. They focus on rebuilding self-image and self-esteem while creating opportunities for wellness. It is also their goal to promote public awareness and early breast cancer detection in all women. Not to mention, they offer free services that will allow them to focus more on healing and less on life's stresses. If you missed our interview with Andrea Nugent, creator of this wonderful organization, view it here.

I Want to Give to B.i.o.n.i.c. Girls!

Volunteers at the B.i.o.n.i.c Girls Chevy Crawl for Breast Cancer Month

------------------------ SADE Foundation The SADE Foundation is a philanthropic organization supported by Enlightened Theater. This umbrella foundation was inspired by the founder’s disabled sister Sade who, despite the lack of financial resources, strives to become independent. This organization provides financial resources to growing businesses and families that focus on creating awareness and independence in the disabled community.

The SADE foundation’s current goal is to raise $10,000 to award to Angelo Maus and his family. This 11 year-old young man was born without the use of his legs, but loves to dance. Ashlee Thomas, the Founder of Enlightened Theater, had the privilege to teach Angelo this summer. During a journal activity, he spoke about the challenges of being disabled and handicapped height. It compelled her to be diligent in assisting his family with financial needs to help Angelo in his development and independence. With the money that is raised, fifty percent will go into an interest-bearing account that Angelo will have access to in his first year of college and the second half of the monies will go directly to the family to assist with medical bills, and training programs that allow Angelo to lead an independent lifestyle.

I Want to Give to the SADE Foundation!

------------------------ Operation Green Leaves Operation Green Leaves was founded in 1991 by a group of Haitians and Americans who wanted to answer a call by the late Jacques Cousteau in his video “Haiti Water of Sorrow”, to save the island from ecological and environmental peril. Haitians have been cutting trees for centuries to make charcoal, the most frequently used source of energy in Haiti. As a result, we have erosion which washes away the top soil into the Caribbean sea, choking the marine life.

Most of the poor in the affected areas are struggling everyday to make it to the next day, therefore they have no concept of the relationship between their own lives and the natural world. Nothing awakens the environmental connection more than personal experiences. Environmental education and hands-on training is a key component of our programs.

OGL has donated more than 100,000 seedlings to Haiti for the Pine Forest through the Ministry of the Environment, as well as provided seeds and seedlings for its other partner communities throughout Haiti. OGL has served as an umbrella organization, forming community partnerships in 10 different areas of the island of Haiti. In South Florida, OGL has organized tree planting activities, neighborhood beautification projects and beach clean-ups. In addition, OGL has formed partnerships in 25 schools in South Florida for programs that include teacher training workshops on environmental education, water conservation, pollution prevention, gardening and solar technology.

I Want to Give to Operation Green Leaves!

------------------------ Pink Wish Foundation The Pink Wish Foundation offers a variety of programs that seek to enrich the lives of women and girls by exposing them to a variety of techniques to effectively communicate and interact in all professional and social settings. Pink Wish programs have been designed to meet the needs of young women and girls who face life's challenges especially in the absence of their fathers. The PWF team is dedicated to making a long-term investment to ensure that each life is provided with vital resources and support to be successful leaders of their households and communities. With the success of the Pink Wish Foundation, Inc. programs for girls, the organization has since made plans to  launch programs for the empowerment of young boys and men.

Earlier this year, we interviewed the creator of PWF, Adre Orie to learn more about her vision and inspiration. If you missed it, pleaseread it here.

I Want to Give to the Pink Wish Foundation!

------------------------ Pink Africa Pink Africa is an organization that works aggressively for the rights of women in Africa to have an equal voice in society. Pink Africa was created for women who live in African countries where they do not enjoy even the basic rights of women in other countries, including America. These women are routinely abused sexually and physically, denied fair education and mutilated without any recourse to the perpetrators.

Pink Africa uses several ways to promote awareness of these issues and help heal hurting women. The organization provides education, finances and other resources to empower women to take stand against the oppression and destructive social ills in their lives. Pink Africa creates, develops and implements many projects each year which address education, housing and other needs. The organization is a worldwide advocate for political change that leads to freedom from the injustice these women endure. This includes organizing women from all over the world to form groups that spread awareness, support one another and work towards action. The African countries that are the focus of Pink Africa include the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Sudan.

As we bring 2011 to a close, here's a look back at some of the great events we attended this past fall. To see more photos of our adventures, visit us on FACEBOOK!!

Falcon & Dove VIP Charity Event - Dec 14th, 2011 Ted Lucas, CEO of Slip N Slide Records, hosted the Falcon & Dove Charity Event at Club 50 atop the Viceroy Hotel in Brickell Miami to raise money and awareness for his organization, The Ted Lucas Foundation. One of the celebrated achievements made this year by TLF was through a commitment of time and positive reinforcement, Ted was able to work with school officials and students to bring North County Elementary in Miami Gardens from an F to a C school. A host of notable members from the South Florida community joined Ted Lucas to celebrate the work of his foundation, such as Commissioner Barbara Jordan and philanthropist Tracy Mourning. Guests were able to mix and mingle, as well as bid on a vast array of items for the silent auction. During the presentation segment of the evening, Commissioner Barbara Jordan surprised Ted Lucas with a proclamation on behalf of Miami-Dade county declaring Dec 14th Ted Lucas Foundation Day. Directly following the presentation, attendees were treated with a special performance from Black Violin.

LaToya and LaTasha of SpeakMovement with Ted Lucas

          Mr. & Mrs. Ted Lucas with Commissioner Barbara Jordan (center)

                  Tracy Mourning with Mr. & Mrs. Ted Lucas

        See more Falcon & Dove!

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Florida Entertainment Summit - Dec 8th - 11th, 2011 The 7th annual Florida Entertainment Summit, hosted by Elora Mason and her fabulous team, was the must-attend event this fall for music, fashion and film hopefuls. The summit started with a fashion show produced by designer/recording Artist E. Mackeyand hosted by Monie Love and her Ladies First team. "I honestly feel like it exceeded my expectations. Elora is so blessed, everyone around her has no choice but to get showered with blessings as well! That's a great feeling," said Mackey.  Friday was dedicated to the music industry with seminars and networking mixers. Recording artist, Flo Rida shared some industry insight and 2Chainz attended the DJ Drop Lounge to chop it up with artists. The Power of Influence Awards Dinner & Trina's Jingle Bell Toy Drive at Crescendo closed out the 3-day networking bonanza.

See more FESummit!

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Fashion Designers Expo - Oct 18th - 22nd, 2011 In October, FDE celebrated their 5-year anniversary with a week of events. To kick it all off, FDE hosted a Pink-tie Dinner Party at Kitchen 305. Team FDE celebrated the survivors and shared heartfelt words to express their love and support for the honorees. “I can’t even express how nice it was that they honored us. It’s important that we recognize the survivors and let them know that they are not alone,” said Andrea Nugent, creator of B.i.o.n.i.c Girls, Inc. and honoree. Leading up to the big show, FDE partnered with designers to host fashion showcases at various nightlife spots across the city. They also hosted a launch party for model/actress, Trishauna Clarke, on Friday at Trio on the Bay. To cap it all off, the fashion show on Saturday was held at the Deauville Beach Resort on Miami Beach. More than 400 attendees enjoyed an extravagant evening of fashion. Among the many guests were eyewear designers, Coco & Breezy. The evening started with a Fashion Lounge & Mixer, where attendees could purchase unique items to fill their fashion and accessory needs. And you know the runway was insane. Fashion...fantastic. Models...gorgeous. “I feel FANTASTIC. It was amazing. We had a packed house and the most beautiful models in Miami on the runway tonight,” said Karine Melissa, CEO of Fashion Designers Expo.

FDE Pink-tie Dinner Party

See more FDE!

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eMERGE Trade Show - Oct 15th, 2011 The eMERGE Trade & Fashion Show was a day-long event at the Zadok Art Gallery in the artsy Wynwood area of Miami, FL. Talented fashion designers were given the opportunity to showcase their designs at their own personal booths as well as on the runway. "The event was started by Ray and myself to give emerging designers an outlet in a larger marketplace in a metropolitan city" - Sherreth Stewart, Founder of eMERGE.

Co-Founders, Raymond Sancristbal & Sherreth Stewart

See more eMERGE!

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Even though we've just begun, our journey has been so full. We at SpeakMovement are thankful for all of our supporters, friends, acquaintances and #PowerPlayers! It has been an absolute pleasure and we are BEYOND excited to see what 2012 has in store.

Recorded by: Sterling McKinley, creator of McKinley Media Group

Written by: La Toya Stirrup, E.I.C of SpeakMovement

Going into business with a family member is a thought most people tend to steer away from, but two ladies in South Florida have embraced the idea and are loving the collaboration. Meet Nashira and Glinda Scott. They are the mother/daughter team behindCreative Expressions FL, a new company looking to bring style and innovative ideas to event planning. I recently interviewed these fantastic ladies to learn more about their passion for event planning and how they leverage their relationship to offer creative solutions.

What inspired you to start an event planning company? Nashira: Our inspiration came from our desire to plan events, which is something we love to do and have been doing for years for family and friends.

Glinda: After so many years of putting on events for family and friends, we decided to start our own business. It’s a joy to work at doing something you love.

What do you like most about helping others to plan events? Nashira: The finale! We love to see the reaction on our clients' faces. The smiles, the sighs of relief, the thank you’s, and the satisfaction!! It makes us overjoyed to see other people happy from something that we helped create.

Glinda: Our motto is “We make your dreams: memories to last." There’s nothing like taking someone’s dream and making it a reality. The joy on our client’s face makes it all worth it.

Event planning is a highly saturated industry. What separates your company from others? We offer event “Planning with a Purpose,” where we partner with community organizations and offer our talents in the form of volunteering as well as planning events wherein a portion of the proceeds are donated. We give back to our community. We can help our clients bring awareness to any health initiative that may be close to their heart. In the midst of working with the community, we offer a myriad of other services for birthdays, wedding, etc.

When someone leaves an event designed by Creative Expressions FL, what do you hope they walk away saying? Nashira: "This event was well organized and well orchestrated. They left no stone unturned. I will definitely be recommending their company for future business."

Glinda: "They paid attention to every detail, they went above and beyond what we could have ever hoped for and they did it all within our budget. What you have done is everything we imagined it would be and more.”

What challenges and advantages do you find in being a mother/daughter team? Nashira: The challenges are deciding whose name goes first on the business card! lol

Glinda: The advantages of being a mother/daughter team are that we work well together. We have the same vision and we can trust each other’s judgment and know each other’s work ethic.

You recently hosted a wedding expo. Talk to us about that event. The bridal showcase expo was our first annual expo event. We were very excited about being able to work with the various vendors.  We offered our brides an opportunity to visit each booth in order to get ideas and assist with the planning of their wedding. We were able to donate to charity and offer many prizes.

Since starting your event planning business, what has been your most memorable moment? Our most memorable moment is seeing the face of our clients when they first see the venue. The joy you see on their face makes our job even more worthwhile.

Looking to the future, describe (or name) your dream client. Nashira: Our dream client would be, anyone who has heard so much about our company, and has seen our work. They will come to us very excited, with their vision in mind, give us their proposal, and trust us to do the rest!!

Glinda: Our dream client would be Mr. Barack Obama. We would love to put on a gala for the President of the United States!

In your opinion, what makes a great event planner? Nashira: A great event planner is well organized, creative, passionate, resourceful, and eager to meet the needs and wants of their client. A great event planner has no limits!

Glinda: A great event planner is one who pays close attention to detail. One who goes above and beyond to ensure that the client has a memorable event. Also, one who can stay within the budget.

The holidays are right around the corner. Do you have any ideas or tips for planning the perfect holiday party? Nashira: When planning a holiday party offer a little personalization. Making your guests feel special with a personalized gift, made especially for them, will help set the tone.

Glinda: When planning the perfect holiday party remember you can keep it simple and it will still be an elegant affair. Ask for assistance from family and/or friends. Or contact us!

What's next for Creative Expressions FL? Any events on the horizon? We are forging relationships with various health organizations and community based organizations to plan several events to benefit them. We have a 30th birthday party and are making preparations for our 1 year anniversary celebration as a corporation.

Written by: Glenn Wiggins, creator of False Image

Despite common belief, it's not easy to shop for a man. In fact, most people often get it wrong because they do not know how to purchase the perfect dress shirt. First, one must know his ACTUAL neck size. There are a lot of people who go to local department stores such as JCPenney's, Dillard's or Macy's asking the salesman that sits there in his loosely fitted dress shirt and necktie, "can I get my measurements please?"

Most salesmen (especially those in big department stores) follow the code of telling the customer to go up a size if there measurement comes in at a half size. Example: said customer's neck measures 15 1/2 inches, the salesman will recommend going up to a 16 inch neck. Its funny because while people experience fluctuation in their body weight over the years, your actual neck size doesn't really grow out of control. It pretty much stays the same (or close to it), unless you experience a major jump in size. So, my advice is to take a small tape measure and figure it out on your own. This way you are in control of your size and are able to purchase a dress shirt that fits you. Second, you need to know your arm length.

Written by: Nubia Previl, Creator of Modern Naturalista

“I’m really trying to make it more than what it is, cause everybody dies but not everybody lives” –Drake

In his verse of the song ‘Moment for Life,’ Drake hits us with this one liner that resonates simply yet deeply. In this never-ending quest for happiness, we sometimes forget how to truly live. Though many of us say to ourselves that life is short, very few of us really live our best lives. I see a lot of people live busy lives that are not so productive. We let unnecessary, unimportant stressors take away from us the one thing we can’t duplicate: time. In my personal life, especially recently, I’ve put into play a few things that have made a profound difference in the way I live in my life and I hope that it helps you live yours.

1. Live in Accordance with Your Values If anyone asks, this is perhaps the biggest change I’ve made that has altered my view on life forever. So many times we do things that don’t feel right or don’t add any worth or value in our lives. We want and should be doing other things, but too often we go off into tangents that are completely off course with what we value. If you value health, are you eating the right foods and exercising daily? If one of your values is family/marriage, are you in a relationship with someone who also values the same thing? If education is something you value, do you read every day, are enrolled in courses or acquire some form of knowledge daily whether formal or informal? Take some time to write down 5-10 things you value most and ask yourself are you living according to these values. If not, start doing so.

2. Speak Positively No one likes a Debbie Downer. There is always something negative going on. Whether it is the economy, wars, hunger or any number of negative situations, our words dictate our lives. There are also many positives; and lots of them: living, health, nature, family/friends, and opportunities. I truly believe words have powerful meanings and should be chosen carefully. Remove words like impossible, can’t and don’t from your vocabulary. This may be a little difficult but with some practice, it’ll come naturally. For example, the next time you want to buy something, instead of saying “I can’t afford this” ask yourself, “How can I afford this?”

3. Surround Yourself with People You Can Learn from  Jim Rohn says, “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” Read the last sentence 3 times and on the third time, think about the people you spend the most time with. What are their values? Do you learn from them? Are they living full lives or just coasting by? Can you count on them or is it a one-way relationship? If you are the smartest person in your group, then you need a new group of friends. This one is probably the most difficult to do because we like our friends. They make us laugh and we can party with them, but if that’s all you have in common then it may be time to move on if you want more out of life.

Written by: La Toya Stirrup, Editor in Chief of SpeakMovement

I recently had a conversation with one of my girls about how much I miss writing and receiving love letters. Back in the day, love letters were THE way to express your feelings to your sweetheart. We would use colored pens, markers, highlighters, stickers...and don't get me started on the various ways to fold your note. Origami at its best. But as we got older, the need to write love letters diminished. I don't know whether it is something most people grow out of OR if it was a victim of technology? Either way, you can't deny there's something sweet about sending and receiving love letters. The intimacy of reading your loved one's thoughts in his/her handwriting is a special experience that does not happen with email or text messaging. Thankfully, JoVonna Rodriguez and Jerome Dickens share my sentiments. These two writers are in the process of creating a collaborative piece that chronicles their relationship through love notes, entitled Love Taps: Myne.

You have a new book on the horizon. Tell us about it. We have been writing together since we met. Poetry brings us together in ways that we wouldn’t have imagined. Over the course of our relationship we wrote so much to each other. We vowed to send hand written letters to each other once a month while we were living in different cities. And thus the concept of our upcoming book, Love Taps, comes from this inspiration. Love Taps is a book about our relationship from the beginning to now. We had all these love poems, letters, emails and conversations, and figured we'd compile them into a book to show the progression of US. The concept of Love Taps comes from the idea that we all need a push sometimes, even within love, in forward moving direction. Love Taps serves as that push to create fresh ways to keep communication and love present.

What can readers expect from Love Taps? Heartfelt messages mixed with a bit of fun banter between lovers? The law of attraction is a powerful thing when supported and expressed through words. Love Taps highlights our thoughts as we embarked on a long distance relationship with nothing but desire. It covers our ups, downs, arguments, but most of all our love for each other. Readers can expect to see our growth happen right in front of their eyes. They will be able to have candid relationship tips and advice from the public. Love Taps is the evolution of our relationship butterfly.

Love Taps serves as that push to create fresh ways to keep communication and love present.

Going back through your old love notes must have been a fun experience. Did you two share a few laughs and/or intimate moments reflecting on the past? Love Taps brought us closer together as a couple because we were able to go back to the beginning and see the foundation we’ve built. You can never determine when life’s struggles will hit, but you can always decide how much love to give. Love Taps reminded us of this. It was critical for us to remember that we don’t have a microwave relationship. It helps us recommit to writing each other, even as we work on the book and see how we express ourselves are the same to this day.

How has collaborating on the book affected your relationship? Wow. It creates for good debates and conversations. We are very different people and writers. Jerome’s style is brash, direct, and raw while JoVonna writes with a free flowing spirit. She is better at crafting pieces. The writer and editor come out of us at different moments. Our ideas and how things should be presented are constantly under debate because of this. But regardless, we inspire each other. Writing solidifies us, so we push each other to polar ends of the writing spectrum because our differences push us to challenge each other.

You are also looking to bring readers in on the experience. How can people become apart of Love Taps? Love Taps is not just about showcasing our love, but specifically opening a door for others to look at love as a conversation. We’ve been asking the public to join us in this project by submitting love/relationship tips and advice. Specifically we are looking for advice on how to improve, keep things fun, fresh, and promote longevity for the right reasons. So far we’ve collected over 60 various quotes in which everyone will be cited. The “Love Taps” will be included in the footer of the page and in a separate e-book which proceeds will go towards a selected non-profit in Atlanta. We will be announcing the name of the non-profit very soon. In addition, we will be having a Love Letter/Love Story Contest to help celebrate the book and give away a nice Valentine’s Day bundle. Everyone can learn more about all of this by visiting all of our social media networks or simply shooting a tip via email to [email protected]. You can view a specific blog post dedicated to submitting your “Love Taps” here: http://ow.ly/7hgHm.

Website: www.love-taps.tumblr.com Twitter: @Love_Taps

When your reader closes the book after reading the last word, what do you hope they’ve gained from Love Taps? Love is possible. Love starts within. Love is neither a fairy tale nor a nightmare, but always a work in progress. Love is our reality. Love cannot and should not be contained. Allow love to be absorbed into all of your thoughts and actions. Explore love beyond the realms of common perception.

When can readers get their hands on Love Taps? Love Taps quotes are always streaming online. The book will be available for presale by February 1st. Our official release will be Valentine’s Day 2012.

Any special “taps” you want to leave with the readers of this interview? "Making love work involves a great deal of dedication; but not dedication in an obligatory sense, more so in a nurturing manner. Love works when there is a mutual respect and understanding between the two that each is accepted for who they are, not in spite of. Love works when both are willing to continuously engage in the very things that they fell in love with each other for because love that lacks authenticity is but a farce." - Devin Joseph Metz

"It’s so much fun with one partner. Take your time. Explore and get to know their bodies. You should close your eyes and memorize each dip, hump, curl, and crack. Know their contour by shape. Examine texture. Merge into them." -Maurice

Written by: La Toya Stirrup, Editor in Chief of SpeakMovement

Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida. Residents of this great city and surrounding areas often rep it as "DUVAL" (the name of the county). Even though Jacksonville is large in size and is the home of comedian Lil Duval, it's nightlife is often thought to be a bit lack luster. But Black on Black Rhyme honorary member, Odd Rod, and others such as designer Patrice Ross are working to change that. As a poet, Odd Rod has brought various acts to the city exposing residents to the spoken word circuit and introducing artists to the city. I had the chance to catch up with Odd Rod to talk a bit about his work and inspiration. Check it out.

What inspired you to become a poet? My upbringing was rough. My mom had been on drugs for most of my life and I never saw my father. My older brother passed of cancer in 1996. He was 16 and I was 13 at the time. Things got worse at home and I became depressed. Tupac passed around the same time and the video for his song "I Ain't Mad at Cha" inspired me to live on. I started writing my feelings in rhyme. I found out later that it was poetry.

The spoken word scene has grown tremendously in the last few years. New poets are emerging constantly. How do you differentiate yourself? I don't pay much attention to what the scene is looking like. I never came through the route of wanting to be a poet. I take life and write mini-movies from the moments that stand out to me.

Traveling is a major part of working the spoken word circuit. Share with us one of the most memorable moments from your travels. I performed at Busboys and Poets in DC, and I don't think I got the best welcome from the host. I rocked the crowd with one poem and changed the environment. The story of my life has been opposition. I took what seemed to be negative energy and flipped it. That night was a metaphor for my life.

I started writing my feelings in rhyme. I found out later that it was poetry.

If you could have dinner with your top 3 favorite poets of all time, who would they be? Tupac Shakur. Wally B. Will Da Real One.

At the end of the year, you are planning to take on poetry full-time. How are you dealing with this transition? Are you excited, nervous…? I'm excited about it all. I always felt like I had something great to do. I've always pushed hard. I've accomplished every goal I've ever set before myself. I'm nervous about the long-term future of it all. I quickly dismiss the nervousness when I realize God has guided my path this far. I didn't know that I would be here. But I am.

What do you think is the source of your success? God. My grandma introduced us before she left to join him. He's been holding my hand ever since.

In addition to being a poet, you are also an author. Talk to us about your children’s book. "Buddy and Bird" is the name of my children's book. It's written by me and illustrated/co-authored by my best friend Aaron Hazouri. We went to college together. It's about two kids from totally separate backgrounds becoming best friends. It's a book about cultural diversity. We try to erase the lines of color with this book. It starts with the kids ya know?!

How did the experience of writing a children’s book differ from writing a poem? It didn't. I simply wrote my life in that book. Aaron and I are the characters. We met in school. Two different backgrounds...best friends. I grew up meeting different cultures because I was moved around a lot.

Writing is a big part of who you are. What do you love most about words and language? I love that I can create a visual with words. I can make the blind see. I don't have many hand gestures in my performances because my mouth is painting. Words are awesome to me.

Lifetime's new spin-off, Project Accessory is receiving rave reviews across the web. Much like the original fan favorite, Project Runway, Project Accessory challenges designers to explore the range of their creativity with extreme design test complete with all the twists and turns viewers love. Designer Jenine Cotrice Addison was selected to be one of 12 designers on the show and was the first one to be voted off. But don't let her short stint on Project Accessory fool you. Cotrice can get down with the best of them. Check out our interview with the now reality TV show vet, Cotrice as we talk about her collection and experience on Project Accessory.

How would you describe THE COTRICE COLLECTION?

THE COTRICE COLLECTION is a work of art in itself. It breathes life into people from my heart and soul. It truly has a mind of its own. It has the ability to uplift those who are down, cover those who need warmth, and put smiles on the faces of those who see it.

What inspired you to become a designer? My grandmother...she raised me and was a seamstress on the side as she raised me and my sister.

You’ve had the opportunity to grace the pages of many publications and now you've had the chance to be on the first season of Project Accessory. Tell us a bit about the show. The show is amazing! Each of the designers has a unique talent or skill as an artist, and have a chance to show those skills off to the world. All of the designers came from New York, Miami, Atlanta, California, or Chicago. I was the only one from Atlanta.

What was it like to try out for the show? I was invited by a girlfriend of mine who invited another acquaintance as well to audition for the show, so the three of us actually drove from Atlanta to MIami in order to make it happen. We ran out of gas along the way on the Florida Turnpike. Whomp, Whomp!!!!!

Did you submit an awesome video demonstrating your killer design skills? My video was pretty darn good, I might say, with no credit at all to myself. A student and videographer, Jamye Luu, whom I was introduced to by a few friends, worked my video for me for a great price, and in mere days of a tight deadline. He is an exceptional talent!!

Cotrice Collection (Project Accessory) from Jamye Luu on Vimeo.

How did you feel when you heard the news that you made the cut to be one of 12 designers on the show? Pretty STOKED. It was very surreal. I knew one of the contestants that auditioned was going, so I made mention of it when we were on the way to Miami so we would all be HAPPY CAMPERS ON THE WAY HOME. That's when I got my first speeding ticket on the way home...lucky me.

Taping the first episode must have been exhilarating. Give us a quick rundown of what you experienced in front of the camera. It was strange at first, then I think I got used to it. I usually don't care about what people think of me, so I figured that was a perfect time to just be myself regardless of how the camera angle catches me. I wonder though how I will be viewed by my friends. If they think I was myself, if they think I was a fool, or just a complete idiot. I just hope they enjoy the show.

There’s this mystique about reality TV shows in that the viewer doesn’t quite know where the script ends and reality begins. Can you share with us how much of the show is real v.prompted? Unfortunately, that is a question I can't answer for you.

Over the years, there’s been commentary regarding the portrayal of black women as the “finger waving, neck rolling b*tch” on reality shows. Given your recent experience on Project Accessory, what’s your take? Is this role a planned component of reality shows? The world truly has its own view of what Black Women are about, how they act, and the attitude misconceptions actually crack me up to the point of my eyes watering and my stomach hurting. There are different types of women of all races who do those things you mentioned, but I, in fact, am a different person. So, I guess I can't even acknowledge that particular portrayal for myself, unless my words are chopped and edited of course for the show. We shall have to wait and see....won't we?

Looking back at your experience, what is your most memorable moment on Project Accessory? Walking into the workroom with Swarovski crystals EVERYWHERE!!!

How do you feel now that the taping is over and the first show has aired? INSANE. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING, I JUST BROKE UP WITH MY BOYFRIEND, AND I HAVE TO REDO MY WEBSITE. UGH!!!

I know you can’t share with us who makes it to the finale, but at the end of the day, what do you hope to gain from this experience? Major growth in my business, and myself as an artist.

Jennifer Pierre has the drive and ambition that you would expect from a born New Yorker. Getting her start as a model and party promoter/host, Jennifer's experience includes being featured in "Get Rich or Die Tryin" starring 50 Cent, MTV's Celebrity Spring Bling, Spike TV's Casino Cinema and much more. With all of her many adventures in music, TV and film, Jennifer is now focusing her creativity on lingerie and jewelry. The Jennifer Pierre Signature Collection is a line of lingerie created to make any woman feel glamorous. To compliment the beautiful colors and fabrics in her lingerie line, Jennifer also has a line of jewelry called KandeeGems. With the many ventures this fab diva has going on, we had to get in touch with Jennifer to learn more about what inspires her movement. Below is our twitterview with Jennifer in case you missed it.

Tonight we will be talking with lingerie designer Jennifer Pierre @onlyyoujp to discuss her business journey. Hello @onlyyoujp. We are so delighted to have you with us tonight. Pleasure is all mine. Excited to join the movement!! @SpeakMovement

Let's start with the basics, tell us about the Jennifer Pierre Signature Collection. The Jennifer Pierre Signature Collection is a line a of Antique vintage pin-up style pieces of Lingerie & Jewelry

I am a fan of the vintage pin-up look. What inspired you to become a #lingerie and #jewelry designer? My inspiration comes from seeing my ladies want comfort with their garments but still have that sexy pin up look underneath. I wanted to design pieces showing that "No one can make you inferior without your consent" and a uniqueness in each individual.

Special Deliver Photoshoot: La Toya rocking her gift from KandeeGems designer Jennifer Pierre (last bracelet on right)

Sexy and comfy? Gotta <3 that combo. What do you luv most about lingerie? What I love about Lingerie is seeing women & men happy when finding that memorable piece...

Would you say it's almost like finding that perfect pair of jeans? ;-) Yes!!! Just like a comfy pair of jeans...

Lol. Travel back in time w/ me 4 a sec...when u started your collection, what was the most challenging moment you faced? The most challenging moment I faced when building #JPSC is everyday is a challenge within itself.. You are always growing!!

So true. Being an #entrepreneur is a daily grind. It never gets easy IF you want to be extraordinary. Absolutely!! Learning is knowledge...

Special Deliver Photoshoot: Luv how my KandeeGems Bracelet (top) stacks nicely with my other accessories. Thanks Jennifer!

One challenge many biz owners face is generating traffic 4 their sites/e-stores. What methods have you found that work for you? The methods I found for social networking is pin-pointing your market area of who you want to show your biz or product too!

Yes. Knowing your mkt is imperative. In addition to lingerie, u also design jewelry. Talk to us about KandeeGems. KandeeGems is my jewelry line that is a small but unique line. Each piece is made from Gemstones and Swaroski Gems. KandeeGems has designs of women's bracelets & necklaces & men's bracelets pic.twitter.com/Xq0UbOv5

Hence the name KandeeGems. Awesome ;-)! Some find it hard to run one business successfully, how do you handle running two? Handling biz is like any other business to run. If u love what u do then it will produce what you love!! #Hardwork #Dedication

Exactly. As #entrepreneurs, we all have our reasons for starting a biz. What was yours? My reason for starting my biz was to help women understand lingerie and find the right piece for them.

Empowering women is an awesome reason. Alright...last question: what's your favorite fabric to work with? Lace, satin, silk... My fav pieces 2 work with are satin n lace. They come in many diff colors and designs within the fabric http://t.co/olkcCqur

Luv it & that color is haute! B4 we go, plz tell everyone where they can find u online. U also have some How To vids coming, rt? You can find #JPSC & #KandeeGems pieces on the boutique. The videos you can find bout How 2 Lingerie & Jewelry isehow.com/ehow-style/ & also can visit youtube.com/user/JACQUES35…

Def have to look out for those. Thx @onlyyoujp for your time this evening. It was truly a blast. We luv to support/promote passionate ppl. THANK YOUUUUUUU!!! I had a blast.. Appreciate the Love Gems!! @SpeakMovement